JOHOR BARU: Fifteen staff members of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia had an eye-opening experience when they went to Padang on a humanitarian mission to provide aid to earthquake victims.

Besides purchasing tents and water pumps, the team also provided counselling and medical treatment for the victims.

UTM university social responsibility deputy director Dr Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, who led the delegation, said the team was in the quake-stricken area between Oct 4 and Oct 8 to provide fresh water.

“When we reached Padang, the stench of rotting bodies really overwhelmed us. We found a man who was just seating beside his mother’s grave after burying her as she was among those who were killed after her home collapsed,” he said.

Dr Ariffin added that the team built him a tent near his mother’s grave to allow him to mourn her death when he refused to budge.

He said Padang town was the worst hit area as almost all the buildings had been destroyed.

“The worst affected is Chinatown. There are debris everywhere. When we arrived at a village in the outskirt of Padang, the search and rescue team had dug out 12 bodies.”

Dr Ariffin added that many people were traumatised by the tragedy.

“Even the rattling of structures due to passing vehicles like buses caused people to panic.

“We also gave medical treatment to about 200 people who sought treatment at our makeshift clinic,” he said, adding that the trip was made possible by staff members of Universitas Bung Hatta.

UTM corporate affairs department assistant registrar (media and external relations) Sabri Ahmad, who was also part of the team, said it was very sad to see so many people affected by the disaster.

“But at the end of the day, our efforts to built a water filter at a village in Padang paid off when villagers thanked and hugged us,” he said.

On the fund set up for disaster victims in Indonesia, Sabri said UTM collected RM65,000 which was used to cover the cost of the operation, purchase of tents and water pumps.

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