TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The earthquake that hit Pidie Jaya District, Aceh, on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, has attracted national sympathy. Aid keeps on flowing three weeks after the natural disaster occurred.
One example is the aid that came from a WhatsApp-based group from Makassar called Accarita. Arqam Azikin, the group’s representative, says that the aid has been distributed through the Regional Military Commander (Pangdam) VII Wirabuana, Gen. Major Agus Surya Bakti.
According to Arqam, the group came up with the deal to hand over the aid through the Pangdam because they feel it would be safer and would reach the intended people.
“We all agreed to hand it over to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). And the closest one was Kodam VII Wirabuana. The General will pass it on,” Arqam explained.
Meanwhile, Gen. Major Agus Surya Bakti expressed his gratitude to Accarita group for trusting it on the TNI to deliver it for them. “Thank you for the appreciation and your trust to us [TNI] to deliver the aid,” he said.
Agus said that he would add the amount of the aid. He also revealed that he had coordinated with TNI in Aceh, and plans to convert the aid into food supplies and medicines.
REZKI ALVIONITASARI
