The party who is responsible in a disaster is the government, because they have the capability, equipment, and funding. “As the one who has responsibility, the government must pay attention to disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters,” said the Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Dahlan Rais, M Hum during the visit from the SAR Mapala Muhammadiyah Indonesia (SARMMI) boards, in UM Surakarta, Thursday (26/01).

Although the government is mainly responsible for disaster management, the government cannot work independently. The communities must participate in disaster management. “If there is a disaster, the community should take a part. Because in our religion, we all should lend a hand,” said Dahlan Rais. Furthermore, Dahlan Rais explained that there were three main points of living in society, namely living in diversity, living in togetherness, and living in care. “We live in diversity because everyone is basically different. One group to another is also different,” he said.

Even though we are different, we still need the help of others and we still need to care about others. We can’t live alone. When we are born we need the help of others. Even after we die, we need to be carried by others. “Because humans basically cannot live independently, we should realize that we, as individuals, must be at least a half for each other. We can’t live only for ourselves and our family,” Dahlan Rais added.

According to Dahlan Rais, volunteers not only put 50 percent of their lives to support other people. It must be more than that. They could put 70 percent and the rest of their lives for humanity and the rest is for their family. Being a volunteer is a very commendable thing due to its highly respected humanity. In Islam, saving a life is a noble value, especially if there are quite a lot of them.

“The disaster volunteers are warriors who strive to help others. It’s good to help people in misery, in extreme difficulties, including helping victims who have died,” said Dahlan Rais. Even though they had a noble intention, volunteers who go to disaster sites must equip themselves with adequate knowledge and skills. Going to the disaster site without having the knowledge is precisely an act that is not commendable. “If the volunteers go to the disaster site without the knowledge and skills, it can be self-harm. So what you will get is not a reward, but it could be the other way around,” he concluded.