Padang Quake Victims Remain Resilient Despite Deplorable Conditions

PADANG (INDONESIA), Oct 8  — Their homes and lives may have been destroyed but the tenacity in some of the Padang earthquake survivors continues to burn brightly even in the wake of such a traumatic disaster.

During an aid mission together with Aman Malaysia Thursday, Bernama witnessed such perseverance in some of the worst hit areas of the Pariaman district where no aid has arrived from any source since these places are difficult to reach.

Nawir Nagur, 46, head of a household of 13 from Dusun Jua Banyak, Kampung Dalam, Pariaman in Padang showed an amazing resilience even though her house was destroyed by the earthquake.

“My house was destroyed and we live here,” said Nawir, pointing to a small earth floor hut with an estimated size of only 60 square foot.

Hers, was perhaps only one out of an estimated 6,500 houses destroyed by the devastating earthquake which had taken an untold amount of lives, and yet she and her villagers remained smiling, cheerful and thankful when Aman Malaysia brought them food donations.

“We need camps, milk for the babies and medicine. The air is polluted and unhealthy and some of us are asthmatic, some have throat infection and itchiness due to lack of proper shelter and sanitation,” said Nawir.

Throughout the journey heading towards her village, a number of children waiting by the roadside holding out boxes, begging for food, was a common sight.

Whenever a kind Samaritan stopped his or her vehicle to donate some food, the children would quickly rush towards the vehicle in search of food.

But despite troubled times, money, it seems has no value to the people of Padang as was the case at a service station in Pariaman where three transparent donation collection boxes outside a prayer room was almost filled to the brim with money but remained idle.

When the Aman and volunteer team members enquired why no one had tried to steal the money, one of the locals, who wished to remain anonymous simply said, “Why does anyone need to steal?

“This money is for welfare, to build a surau and to be used for those who need assistance.”

Another testament to the strength of the Padang people was how quickly they had managed to get back to business even after having their neighbour’s house or shop collapse next to their own.

Even during Aman Malaysia’s extremely quick one day visit, members of the team noticed that the food prepared there was still extremely delicious and satisfying.

Under a joint effort between Aman Malaysia and Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association, around RM25,000 worth of goods were distributed to the earthquake struck region of Padang, Indonesia.

Aman and Pemuda Umno International Bureau Chairman Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid led the four-man humanitarian aid mission from Malaysia today and brought along 2,300kg of water, powdered milk and dry food from Kuala Lumpur to aid around 500 household.