Children Victims of the Sumatera Floods Are Getting Sick in Evacuation Camps

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in the situation of flash floods in Sumatera. They begin to fall ill while in evacuation centers. Support and rapid response from various parties are needed to enhance children's resilience during disasters.

The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) has recorded several illnesses among children in evacuation centers. In North Sumatera, for example, 135 children have acute respiratory infections (ARI), 36 have diarrhea, 46 have tinea (fungal infection), 27 have bacterial dermatitis (skin infection), and two have suspected pneumonia. They are spread across Binjai City, Medan City, and Langkat Regency.

"Common diseases during disasters such as acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, and skin diseases have been addressed (in the evacuation centers). There were two cases that we referred to the hospital with pneumonia symptoms," said Eka Airlangga, Vice Chairman of IDAI North Sumatera Branch during a press conference on Monday (12/1/2025).

Currently, the medical team still requires medication for diarrhea, dermatitis, and respiratory infections, as well as eye drops for infants, combination syrup for respiratory infections, clean water to dissolve antibiotics, and medicine spoons. In addition, the parents also need sanitary pads, eucalyptus oil, and food for children.

In West Sumatra, four children have died as a result of flash floods. Two of the children were identified from the city of Padang, one from West Pasaman Regency, and one child's body has not yet been identified. Additionally, in the city of Bukittinggi, there are three children who have not been found.

As in North Sumatra, children in the refugee camps in West Sumatera are also experiencing acute respiratory infections (80 children), diarrhea (4 children), tinea (4 children), and skin infections (11 children). Meanwhile, in Aceh, the condition of children is generally similar, but the numbers have yet to be confirmed due to limited communication networks and the presence of isolated areas.

Although many pediatricians have also become victims in the disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, they stated that they do not yet require assistance from medical personnel from outside the province and are still able to help fellow residents there.

We as health practitioners, especially pediatricians, must ensure the needs of mothers with babies in disaster situations.

"Although many colleagues have been affected, including us, at this moment we do not require additional pediatricians; for instance, if there is a need for an increase in specific locations, we will coordinate again," said Raihan, Chairman of the IDAI Branch in Aceh.

The Chairman of IDAI, Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, stated that reports from IDAI representatives in the three provinces have confirmed that there are significant risks to physical and mental health, nutrition, and the continuity of children's immunization. He urged the central government to promptly declare a national disaster status so that the response can be more effective and swift.

"We are confident that this is not just a sensation on social media; it is indeed a significant issue in the real world as well. Hopefully, the government can classify this as a national disaster," said Piprim.

The Chairman of the IDAI Disaster Response Task Force, Kurniawan Taufiq Kadafi, added that disasters can have layered impacts on children. Children, especially during flood disasters, are at risk of experiencing diarrhea, dengue fever, leptospirosis, and respiratory infections.

Even in shelters, children must receive proper nutrition. It is essential for children to have a diet that includes sufficient carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, such as bread, rice, cereals, energy-rich biscuits, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, as well as fresh foods like vegetables and fruits. The menu consumed should not consist solely of instant noodles and non-nutritive snacks.

For breastfeeding mothers, they must also ensure that their babies continue to receive Breast Milk (ASI). Babies who are not breastfed have a high risk of contracting diseases.

Kurniawan emphasized that a mother can still breastfeed successfully even under stressful circumstances caused by a disaster. While breast milk release is influenced by a reflex called the letdown reflex, which is indeed affected by stress, milk production is not.

One way to address the lack of breast milk production is by increasing the baby's suckling at the breast, thereby enhancing the release of the hormone oxytocin. Therefore, assisting mothers in initiating or continuing breastfeeding can help them reduce the stress they experience.

"This means we must ensure that the breastfeeding process can continue in a comfortable place that guarantees privacy for optimal breastfeeding of the child," said Kurniawan.

He reminded all doctors at the evacuation site not to distribute formula milk directly to disaster victims, but rather to coordinate with the local Health Office.

"This may seem trivial. However, we as health practitioners, especially pediatricians, must ensure the needs of mothers with infants in disaster situations," he stated.

In addition to physical health issues, children who are separated from their families are highly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. Therefore, children require protection and attention from their surrounding environment to prevent the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorders.