Ternate (6 September 2024) - A flash flood struck Roa sub-district in Ternate, North Maluku, on Sunday (25/8), around 03.30 a.m. local time. Sadness enveloped the survivors, including children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and the injured individual still receiving treatment.

Since the first day of the disaster, Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has immediately deployed Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana). In collaboration with Wasana Bahagia Center, Regional Disaster Management Board (BNPB), Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Indonesian National Armed Forces/Indonesian National Police (TNI/Polri), and National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), they conducted search and rescue operations. Nineteen residents were reported dead, and dozens more were injured.

The survivors were housed in a shelter at SMK 4 Ternate where MoSA established an emergency kitchen, set up a disaster relief tent, and provided a room for Psychosocial Support Service (LDP) activities for affected individual including children.

A total of 69 children affected by disaster received psychosocial service from LDP team to cope with prolonged trauma.

One of survivor, Okan (9), a third-grade student of elementary school, tried to recover from trauma of seeing the disaster destroy his home and dreams by participating in comforting activities. Alongside his friends, he made a bird and a tulip from origami paper, guided by LDP team and child companions.

“I’ve been here for almost two weeks here. There are many friends, and I can play with older friends,” said Okan.

Every day, The MoSA Tagana team operates a disaster relief kitchen, producing 1,700 - 2,000 boxes of ready-to-eat rice for the survivors.

In the 13th day, an entertainment event was hosted, featuring dancing, singing, and poetry recitations to lift the spirits of the survivors, particularly children. A prayer was also offered for those who lost their lives.