Following flash floods that killed over 1,000 people in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, authorities are assessing poverty impacts and supporting community recovery. Refugee numbers are declining as aid distribution continues, including mosque cleanups for the first post-disaster prayers.
Flash floods struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra since November 26, 2025, causing widespread damage to settlements and public facilities. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the death toll reached 1,006 as of December 13, 2025, with 414 in Aceh, 349 in North Sumatra, and 242 in West Sumatra. The number of missing persons dropped to 217 from 226 following field validation.
The number of refugees across the three provinces decreased from 884,000 to 654,000 on December 13. In Aceh alone, refugees fell from 817,000 to 586,000 as some residents returned home. BNPB optimized logistics distribution with 11.3 tons by air, 3 tons by land, and 47.4 tons by sea that day. Repairs to flood-damaged bridges in Aceh are being accelerated to speed up ground aid.
The Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin) will document and calculate post-disaster poverty impacts, particularly on public facilities and residents' property. BP Taskin head Budiman Sudjatmiko stated that teams are conducting monitoring in the three provinces during the post-emergency phase. In West Sumatra, three experts were deployed to coordinate with local governments.
In Sekumur Village, Sekerak District, Aceh Tamiang, residents held their first Friday prayer on December 12 after the Baitul Makmur Mosque was cleared of 60 cm of mud by the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Dompet Dhuafa. Village elder Muchtar wept with emotion and thanked the volunteers. "Praise be to God, with the help of Dompet Dhuafa volunteers, we can pray congregationally again after 15 days," he said. DMC's Ahmad Barqu explained challenges with thick mud and limited water, but the mosque is now ready for worship and post-disaster social activities.
