EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, EAST MANGGARAI – Muhammadiyah Volunteers were among the first humanitarian responders to arrive and the last to leave areas affected by the Flores earthquake, providing essential services, including healthcare, to local communities.
Emilianus Sarjanit, head of Lamba Leda Utara Subdistrict in East Manggarai Regency, made the remarks on Saturday (20/9) during the withdrawal of Muhammadiyah Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Type 1 Fixed and the handover of operational assistance to Muhammadiyah’s Provincial Coordination Posts and Regional Coordination Posts in East Manggarai.
For Emilianus, the withdrawal of the Muhammadiyah EMT was an emotional moment for local residents. During their time in the area, the volunteers had built close relationships with the community.
“The withdrawal of the Muhammadiyah EMT feels like a loss and is sad news. Muhammadiyah’s presence through the EMT has become part of the community’s family,” he said.
He also expressed his appreciation to Muhammadiyah, through the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC), for the various services and assistance provided during the emergency response. \
“To MDMC and the entire Muhammadiyah family, I want to say again and again that MDMC has wiped away our tears,” he said.
Ferni Riwu, head of Dampek Community Health Center in Lamba Leda Utara, expressed similar appreciation. She said the presence of Muhammadiyah Volunteers had provided significant support for health services since the Flores earthquake struck on August 15, 2026.
Ferni recalled that during the first day after the earthquake, health workers in her area had to operate with limited resources. Muhammadiyah Volunteers arrived several days later and provided substantial support for health services.
“For the first 24 hours, we struggled on our own. Then, on the third day, volunteers from outside east Manggarai arrived on behalf of Muhammadiyah,” she recalled.
Sharing Resources and Muhammadiyah Advanced Assistance
According to Ferni, Muhammadiyah’s health services were not limited to Dampek Community Health Center. Damage to the health center’s building and the extensive area it served meant additional support was needed.
Because the health center had suffered severe structural damage, the Muhammadiyah team established an EMT Type 1 Fixed field hospital in the area beside the facility.
“It turned out that Muhammadiyah established a very good service system inside tents like these. I was confident that the community would receive good care. This was evident from the increase in visits at the beginning,” she explained.
Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairperson dr. Agus Taugiqurrahman, who was present in Dampek, stressed that the withdrawal of the EMT did not mean an end to Muhammadiyah’s support for communities affected by the Flores earthquake.
He said that after the emergency response phase, Muhammadiyah would continue its assistance through rehabilitation services and efforts to strengthen communities so they would be more resilient in facing future disasters.
“This withdrawal is not the end. Going forward, Muhammadiyah will provide rehabilitation services and strengthen disaster-resilient communities,” he said.
Agus added that Indonesia is highly prone to disasters. Muhammadiyah therefore needs to build a strong volunteer network capable of responding quickly and sharing resources when disasters strike in different parts of the country.
Anak Krakatau has erupted. So, of course, Muhammadiyah needs to share those resources. And there are also our MDMC colleagues who are still responding to forest and land fires and providing oxygen,” he said.
Muhammadiyah Would Continue Assisting NTT
The withdrawal of the Muhammadiyah EMT also does not mark the end of assistance to Flores earthquake survivors. Mukhsin Masri, Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Provincial Board of East Nusa Tenggara, stressed that Muhammadiyah would continue to support affected communities.
“Although MDMC will officially return today, I am confident that through the honorable Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Board and the MDMC, Muhammadiyah’s support will continue. The tents may be taken down, but the concern will remain,” he said.
As a native of East Manggarai, Mukhsin expressed his gratitude for Muhammadiyah’s concern, compassion, and assistance for communities affected by the Flores earthquake, particularly in East Manggarai and NTT as a whole.
During the event, Muhammadiyah also distributed solidarity assistance and stimulus support to strengthen Muhammadiyah’s activities at seven Regional Coordination Posts: Manggarai, West Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ende, Sikka, Nagekeo, dan Ngada, as well as at the Muhammadiyah NTT Provincial Coordination Post.
