KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof was in Palu, Indonesia recently where he witnessed the devastating aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami disaster that happened in September.
In a news report yesterday, the Melankolia and Paskal actor star said: “When I hear the stories told by the disaster victims and survivors, I just couldn’t hold back my tears.”
“I had no words but it gave me the motivation and spirit to carry on with further humanitarian aid missions to lend a helping hand to others,” he said.
Eizlan, who is also a member of the Civil Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT) under the Malaysia Civil Defence Department (APM), had accompanied 42 other volunteers from various agencies as part of the third Humanitarian Aid Mission to Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi disaster in Palu.
The team had been there since Nov 15 before returning home to Malaysia a few days ago.
“At Balaroa, I was told that a lot of people had lost their lives. That’s not counting the many other areas that were affected.
“It was heartbreaking to see the devastation of these areas. I was speechless,” said the 47-year-old artiste and father of three children.
Despite feeling sad, mournful and emotional, Eizlan added that he had to eventually hide those feelings and put up a brave front in order to offer assistance and words of encouragement to the victims and volunteers involved.
Although rescue efforts had already been carried out, he explained that such a mission was important to provide trauma and psychological rehabilitation and support for the survivors.
Eizlan was also proud that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa was present to visit the victims and to hand over much needed supplies to them as well.
Aside from Malaysian personnel, the mission also included volunteers from Indonesia and Singapore.