Strengthening Community Resilience through Humanitarian Assistance: A Disaster Relief Initiative in Bengkelang Village, Aceh Tamiang Regency

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FORMOSA NEWS - Aceh Tamiang - Universitas Terbuka Relief Initiative Strengthens Community Resilience in Flood-Affected Aceh Tamiang Regency. In 2026, researchers and service professionals from Universitas Terbuka delivered essential relief aid to post-disaster flood victims in Bengkelang Village, Aceh Tamiang Regency. Led by Irsanti Widuri Asih, Bahir Mukhammad, Setyo Kuncoro, Fadri Ari Sandi, Helni Sadid Parassa, Amud Sunarya, and Yasir Riady, the project provided target supplies to affected households. The initiative restored basic living conditions, enhanced sanitation, provided emergency power, and strengthened social and psychological resilience across the vulnerable community.

Background and Relevance
Indonesia remains highly susceptible to extreme climate events and natural disasters due to its position along major tectonic plates and changing global weather patterns. Regional flooding in Aceh Tamiang Regency regularly disrupts local livelihoods, damages public infrastructure, and creates immediate resource shortages. Vulnerable groups, including low-income families, elderly residents, and children, face acute challenges in securing clean water, electricity, and basic household items. Academic institutions play a crucial strategic role in bridging the gap between immediate disaster relief and long-term socio-economic recovery through structured, field-tested interventions.

Research Methodology
The academic team deployed a participatory qualitative approach structured into four distinct execution phases:

• Needs Assessment: Field observations, interviews, and direct consultations with village officials and residents identified key shortages in energy, sanitation, household items, and psychological support.
  
• Program Planning & Procurement: Specific hardware and essential household supplies were selected based on urgent community survival and recovery metrics.
  
• Targeted Aid Distribution: Supplies were directly handed over to affected residents in collaboration with the Bengkelang Village government to ensure transparent delivery.
• Monitoring & Qualitative Evaluation: Qualitative interviews and post-distribution feedback sessions evaluated the immediate utility and impact of the items on daily community routines.
  

Key Findings
The field intervention addressed physical, environmental, and emotional post-disaster challenges in Bengkelang Village:

• Emergency Power Restoration: Generators provided immediate electrical power for night lighting and daily essential devices, mitigating local blackout conditions.
  
• Clean Water Access: High-capacity water tanks provided safe, centralized water storage, ensuring access for cooking, personal hygiene, and disease prevention.
  
• Household Autonomy: The provision of stoves and cooking utensils enabled families to prepare their own meals independently rather than relying exclusively on packaged aid.
  
• Shelter Comfort: Mats, blankets, and sarongs significantly improved resting conditions inside temporary shelters and damaged home environments.
  
• Psychological Support: Distributing copies of the Qur'an offered vital spiritual grounding, easing emotional distress and encouraging community solidarity.
  

Real-World Impact and Policy Implications
This intervention demonstrates how higher education institutions can operationalize academic social responsibility during climate emergencies. By pairing direct material assistance with village-level administrative partnerships, disaster relief programs become significantly more efficient and transparent. Policymakers and emergency response planners can adopt this collaborative framework to integrate university expertise directly into national disaster mitigation strategies.

Author Profiles
Irsanti Widuri Asih, M.Si. – Researcher and academic staff at Universitas Terbuka, specializing in community development and social service management.
Bahir Mukhammad, M.A. – Academic researcher at Universitas Terbuka, focusing on post-disaster social dynamics and public welfare.
Setyo Kuncoro, M.T. – Technical researcher at Universitas Terbuka, specializing in operational management and infrastructure support.
Fadri Ari Sandi, M.Pd. – Educational and social science expert at Universitas Terbuka, focused on community empowerment programs.
Helni Sadid Parassa, M.Si. – Researcher at Universitas Terbuka, specializing in public services and humanitarian logistics.
Amud Sunarya, M.M. – Management specialist at Universitas Terbuka, focusing on resource deployment and program evaluation.
Yasir Riady, Ph.D. – Senior academic and researcher at Universitas Terbuka, specializing in educational technology, information management, and community service frameworks.

Source
Irsanti Widuri Asih, Bahir Mukhammad, Setyo Kuncor, Fadri Ari Sandi, Amud Sunarya, Yasir Riady. Strengthening Community Resilience through Humanitarian Assistance: A Disaster Relief Initiative in Bengkelang Village, Aceh Tamiang Regency. Asian Journal of Community Services (AJCS). Vol. 5, No. 6, Juli 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajcs.v5i7.48
URL: https://journalajcs.my.id/index.php/ajcs