Floods and landslides hitting Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra since late November 2025 have killed 753 people and impacted 3.3 million lives. The government is delivering aid via air and sea, while groups like MER-C and Waskita Karya provide volunteers and food packages. Several figures urge declaring it a national disaster for better response.
The hydrometeorological disaster struck Sumatra regions since late November 2025, causing severe infrastructure damage like severed roads and bridges in Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar). According to the latest National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) data as of December 3, 2025, deaths reached 753, with 650 missing and 2,600 injured, affecting 3.3 million people across 50 districts/cities. Some 3,600 homes were heavily damaged, 2,100 moderately, and 3,700 lightly, plus 323 public facilities and 299 bridges destroyed.
The central government responded swiftly through ministry coordination. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno stated, "The government has been working hard since the first day of the disaster," though geography and weather pose challenges to distribution. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf ensured temporary (huntara) and permanent housing, with Rp25 billion in aid including 30 community kitchens producing 80,000 meal packs daily. The ministry's Tagana deployed 570 personnel.
For energy, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia relaxed barcode rules for subsidized fuel in the three provinces, allowing free purchases at gas stations. "This morning we issued a relaxation of rules so people buying fuel at gas stations don't need barcodes," he said in Pinangsori, Central Tapanuli. BBM and LPG distribution shifted to sea and air via rafts and planes due to cut land access. PLN reported power recovery in Sibolga: 85 of 103 downed feeders restored, 2,365 of 4,537 distribution substations normal, and 216.64 MW load recovered, though network pressure remains low.
Private and NGO aid flowed in. Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) deployed national volunteers for medical services and hygiene kits. MER-C Presidium Chair Hadiki Habib emphasized, "Up to today, conditions in the three provinces are not yet recovered, with many areas still isolated." PT Waskita Karya delivered hundreds of food packages, mattresses, and medicines to BPBD and BNPB posts, plus excavators to clear roads like Sipirok-Tarutung. The Army sent 88 tons of logistics via ADRI XCII-BM ship from Tanjung Priok.
Internationally, the UN expressed condolences via Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and offered aid. Domestically, Habib Rizieq Shihab and MUI General Chairman KH Anwar Iskandar urged national disaster status. Habib Rizieq noted, "The government should immediately declare it a national disaster," for focused handling and global aid access. Nonetheless, President Prabowo Subianto ordered TNI-Polri and BNPB synergy, deploying over 500 personnel in Tapanuli.
