Bengkulu Earthquake Quick Recovery

by: Sunaryo Adhiatmoko

A 7.8 Richter scale earthquake hit Bengkulu on Wednesday, 12 September 2007. It damaged thousands of houses. Two days after the earthquake, DD managed to reach the location to perform humanity aid including housing recovery.

While waiting for government aid, the victims of Penyangkak village, Kota Agung, North Bengkulu no longer lived in tent. They have done house recovery faster than after earthquake in 2000. They were able to complete 70 houses made of zinc plate roof, wooden foundation and wooden wall within 10 days.

According to Head of Village of Dusun Penyangkak, Hamdan AR, housing recovery acceleration is initiated by Dompet Dhuafa. After 12 days post earthquake, Dompet Dhuafa established Emergency Housing program. Prior to this program, DD sent medical and logistical aid together with voluntary doctors, nurses and ambulance from Jakarta.

“We are very touched. Aid came so fast and we can leave the tent” said Hamdan in between his work building the houses. The success of housing recovery is all because of serious facilitation from DD.

“We can’t thank you enough. DD has been so kind to guide us to crawl out from this disaster. During the 2000 earthquake, we stayed in tent for 3 months”, said the village head, who is now fighting to have his area to become a village.
Field observation result showed that Dusun Penyangkak is quite fenomenal. When other affected areas still struggling with logistic, this small village has managed to be independent. The people seemed to be unified to fight for their lives.

Meanwhile, the head of Kota Agung Village, Gulam Wahyudi cannot hide his emotion to see his village independence. He said that Dusun Penyangkak is the worst affected area.

“Thank you to Dompet Dhuafa who is willing to stay with my people, to guide and to provide real support. I also hope this program can be implemented in other villages. And hopefully other humanitarian institution can do similar program like Dompet Dhuafa.” Gulam Wahyudi said.


Community-based
The chairman of Dompet Dhuafa commented about the acceleration of housing recovery “Our experience in dealing with disaster has required us to think creatively on how we can implement acceleration program as soon as possible. We try to find any possible strength post earthquake that can be used, and we designed it for the people. So, we are not doing it alone but together with the people.” Said Rahmad.

Rahmad Riyadi explained that, the earthquake damaged the houses leaving ruins, roof and woods. Rather than having to stay in tents for 5 months, we better use the ruins as living quarters. And to make this program successful, volunteer have to give their best.

“The most important thing in post earthquake is to strengthen the community. We have to communicate frequently to find possible solution together. That’s what volunteers from Dompet Dhuafa did on the field. That way, we could know what they need and what tey want. That’s how the recovery acceleration worked in Penyangkak”, explained Rahmad Riyadi who stayed there with the victims on 3rd day post earthquake.

Rahmad also explained that the important message from all of this is that the recovery acceleration in Penyangkak is the unity and togetherness of the people. All problems are discussed together so that there is no envy or jealousy. This is where humanitarian agency plays its role as mediator among victims and government. According to Rahmad, despite the scale of disaster, all elements involved should be directed to peaceful and calm conditions.
It is not ideal, however it is a learning process and what Dompet Dhuafa did in Penyangkak village have fulfilled the requirements.

Aside from housing and economical recovery, DD rebuilt Nurul Ikhsan Mosque, which was damaged by the earthquake, with the financial support from PT Arutmin. This is a community-based mosque, with10X12m wide and artistically designed. It will be a transit mosque as it is located in the way between province that connect Bengkulu to West Sumatra.