Not Remaining Silent, Babel State Polman Students Move to Lighten the Burden of Fire Victims in Serdang Hamlet, South Bangka
Students from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic distribute aid to residents affected by a fire in Serdang Hamlet, Jelutung II Village, South Bangka Regency.
As a gesture of concern for those affected by a disaster, the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Babel), together with several other student organizations, directly distributed aid to fire victims in Serdang Hamlet, Jelutung II Village, Simpang Rimba District, South Bangka Regency, on Saturday (October 17, 2026).
In addition to the BEM, this humanitarian effort involved several other student organizations, including the Student Senate (SEMA), the Volunteer Corps (KSR), and the Student Cooperative (KOPMA) of Polman Babel. The initiative also received support from off-campus organizations, namely WIS and DEMA IAIN.
When contacted on Sunday (October 18, 2026), the head of the Polman Babel BEM, Bintang, explained that fundraising had taken place prior to the team’s visit to the site. Donations were collected over the course of one week through an online campaign, followed by a three-day street-based fundraising drive in the Sungailiat area.
He noted that the aid provided was prioritized to meet the residents' basic needs, including powdered milk, diapers, medicines, snacks, as well as toiletries and laundry supplies.
" What matters is being able to help the residents—even if the aid provided is limited to what was successfully collected during the fundraising—as we hope to ease the burden on those affected," he stated.
According to data gathered by Bintang, the fire has impacted approximately 400 households, with nearly 600 structures reported to have been completely destroyed. The affected residents have reportedly been evacuated and are currently staying in temporary shelters while waiting for conditions to recover," he concluded.
Through this humanitarian initiative, Bintang invites all segments of society, community groups, and relevant parties to contribute by providing aid to those affected by the disaster," he added.
He expressed his hope that the distributed aid will reach the right people—specifically those in greatest need—so that the residents can be supported in meeting their daily necessities during the post-fire recovery period," he noted.
