Residents of Cianjur Earthquake Victims Are Traumatized Everytime They Hear the Sound of Ruins

Sudirman, a resident of Sukamulya Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur Regency who survived the 5.6/PHOTO magnitude earthquake: Diah Ayu-VOI

CIANJUR - Sudirman (42) became one of the lucky residents, still able to survive the shocks of the Cianjur earthquake. He suffered minor injuries to his fingers and left arm, as well as to his neck.

However, this resident of Sukamulya Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur Regency admitted that he could not be free from fears of aftershocks that occurred.

The rain that is still falling today has made the ground soft. The remains of the ruins of the building still often fall to make a "bang!" which is quite hard.

"I'm not afraid anymore, I'm traumatized if I still hear the sound of the rubble", said Sudirman when describing his current condition to VOI, Wednesday, November 23.

When the 5.6 magnitude earthquake occurred, Sudirman was watching television. Meanwhile, his wife was putting his three-year-old son to sleep in a hanging sling.

"After the earthquake, my wife immediately took the child out of the house. I also immediately saved myself. The condition of the house immediately collapsed and my hands were chipped by shards of glass when trying to get out. Thank God, we survived", said Sudirman.

No longer able to live in a house that has been razed to the ground, Sudirman and 9 families living in the vicinity of his settlement set up refugee camps with materials purchased by themselves.

For lighting, they only rely on torches because the electricity is still out.

"I took refuge in a post that we built ourselves and bought a tarpaulin jointly with 9 families, about 40 people. Each family was IDR 100,000", said Sudirman.

It turned out that Sudirman and the residents of one village had not received any assistance at all from the government. They only received instant noodle donations from donors who had approached their place of residence.

In fact, residents still need basic food, clothing, and diapers for children.

When asked about the role of the Sukamulya Village Head in meeting the needs of his citizens, Sudirman only smiled wryly.

"Our village head, the bridge of his nose has never been seen until now", he said.