Victim Turns into Volunteer

The tsunami made Arif Munandar realize that he needs to be well prepared for disasters. Now, he wants to spend the rest of his life being a volunteer to help people during disasters.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Arif Munandar, 50, is a resident of Kajhu village in Baitussalam district, Aceh Besar regency, who is a survivor of the Aceh tsunami and a disaster volunteer.

When a tsunami hit Aceh on 26 December 2004, Arif Munandar was a victim. He was put into a bag after people thought he was already dead. The incident made him realize that he needs to be well prepared for disasters. Now, he wants to spend the rest of his life being a volunteer to help people during disasters.

Arif shared his life experience with the participants of the disaster resilient family (katana) program on Saturday (17/12/2019) evening, on the coast of Pasie Jantang village, Lhoong district, Aceh Besar regency. The head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Doni Monardo, was present among the participants. Amid a gust of wind and waves on the shore, Arif\'s story struck anyone who was listening.