The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Syiah Kuala (FMIPA-USK) has demonstrated its deep sense of solidarity by organizing a large-scale support movement for students affected by recent natural disasters.
Banda Aceh — In a swift response to a series of hydrometeorological disasters that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, FMIPA-USK initiated a fundraising effort to assist students currently facing hardships due to the emergency conditions. The disasters—which include floods, landslides, and extreme rainfall—have disrupted community activities, including those of hundreds of FMIPA-USK students whose families live in the affected regions.
Faculty records show that more than 200 FMIPA-USK students have been directly impacted by these events. Many of them are facing serious challenges such as flooded homes, severed road access, loss of communication networks, and families who have been forced to evacuate. Amid these pressures, some students have remained in Banda Aceh to continue their studies, though with increasing psychological and economic burdens.
As part of its immediate response, FMIPA-USK has provided daily lunch assistance during the emergency period for students in need. This support not only serves as logistical aid but also provides emotional reassurance—reminding students that they are not facing the situation alone.
The Dean of FMIPA-USK, Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si., M.Tech., emphasized that the well-being of students affected by the disaster is the faculty’s top priority.
“In times of crisis, students are a group we must protect. Many of them are far from their families and lack direct support. That is why we want to ensure they feel embraced by the FMIPA family,” he stated.
Prof. Taufik explained that the fundraising initiative is the result of broad collaboration involving lecturers, administrative staff, students, alumni, and donors who are moved to help. “We have a moral responsibility to ensure that education does not come to a halt because of emergency situations. Acts of solidarity like this form a bridge between humanity and the academic world.”
He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed their time, energy, or donations. “We appreciate every form of support, no matter how small. Every act of kindness offered today becomes a source of strength for our students as they face these challenges.”
On the ground, various testimonies from affected students highlight the importance of the assistance provided. One student shared that severe flooding in their hometown forced their family to evacuate to a safer location, while they had to remain in Banda Aceh with limited resources. The lunch assistance from the faculty, the student said, greatly eased their daily burden and allowed them to stay focused on their studies.
Another student recounted how communication with their family was cut off for several days due to network damage. In a period filled with anxiety, the presence of moral and logistical support from the faculty brought them much-needed comfort. “It felt like having a second family here,” said one student who preferred not to be named.
Beyond immediate assistance, FMIPA-USK has opened donation channels for the academic community and the public to contribute to the disaster relief efforts. The fundraising is conducted transparently and will continue for as long as students require support.
The faculty is also exploring several follow-up steps, including mapping students’ psychosocial needs, providing academic guidance for those severely affected, and potentially offering additional aid should the situation worsen.
Through this solidarity movement, FMIPA-USK aims to provide not only material support but also encouragement and a sense of unity for students struggling through this difficult time. The university reaffirms that student welfare and education are collective responsibilities, and that solidarity remains the foundation for addressing humanitarian challenges such as this.
With a strong spirit of mutual support, FMIPA-USK believes that its students will recover, remain focused on their education, and feel the unwavering presence of a larger family ready to help them whenever needed.
