At 100 Years Old, Sakinah Continues to Live in Displacement While Hoping for Adequate Shelter

Flooding that affected several areas in Aceh in late November 2025 had a significant impact on many families. Homes were submerged, daily activities were disrupted, and residents were forced to leave their houses. To this day, recovery efforts are still ongoing as communities strive to rebuild their lives.

In Langkahan Subdistrict, North Aceh, Sakinah now spends her days in a simple displacement setting. At 100 years old, she lives with her two children and two grandchildren in a small makeshift shelter made of wood and tarpaulin. The structure was built with their own limited means as a temporary place to stay.

The shelter does not yet provide adequate protection. When it rains, water seeps inside, leaving the space damp. When the wind blows, the cold air enters directly. Despite these conditions, Sakinah continues her days with quiet resilience, although she occasionally faces health challenges.

Previously, Sakinah lived in Banda Aceh for one and a half years before returning to her hometown in Langkahan. Shortly after her return, the floods struck and damaged her home. Since then, she and her family have been rebuilding their lives from their current place of displacement.

The family’s daily life remains modest. One of her children works as a farmer to support their basic needs. They also receive occasional assistance from passersby traveling along a nearby route.

This situation reflects that post-disaster recovery takes time and collective effort. The provision of adequate housing remains a critical step to ensure that affected people can live in safer and more dignified conditions, in line with the #SumatraRecovery efforts.

Human Initiative continues to support recovery through programs focused on strengthening affected communities. Togetherness makes each step lighter and creates space for mutual support.

Let us take part in this collective effort with Human Initiative through solusipeduli.org to help provide adequate shelter for those in need.

Name has been changed to protect the identity of the rights holder.