Rp 2.6 Billion in Aid Distributed to Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The government continues to distribute logistical assistance and personnel to the victims of floods and landslides in several areas of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Logistics are sent from central warehouses and the Center for Social Welfare Education and Training or BBPPKS located near the disaster sites.

The total estimated logistical assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs for flood and landslide management amounts to approximately Rp 2.6 billion. This assistance consists of basic necessities for residents, family supplies, emergency housing, and public kitchen services that have reached thousands of residents.

"The Ministry continues to monitor developments in the field and ensure that assistance reaches those in need," said Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, in a written statement on Thursday (27/11/2025).

The province of North Sumatra received a total aid of approximately Rp 2.05 billion, which was distributed to four affected areas. Starting from Central Tapanuli Regency, aid from Sentra Bahagia Medan amounting to Rp 561.5 million includes 400 family supply packages, 400 children's supply packages, 248 blankets, 164 mattresses, and 400 roll-up tents.

For Mandailing Natal Regency, assistance from BBPPKS Padang amounting to IDR 169.1 million has arrived earlier and contains 100 family supply packages, 100 children's supply packages, 100 blankets, 100 mattresses, and 100 roll tents.

Always be careful, immediately contact the evacuation team in case of emergency.

In the city of Sibolga, assistance amounting to Rp 456.5 million was provided by Sentra Insyaf Medan, which includes 300 family supply packages, 200 children's supply packages, 300 mattresses, 300 roll tents, and 1 unit of a multifunctional tent. North Tapanuli Regency received assistance from BBPPKS Padang totaling Rp 169.1 million in the form of 100 family supply packages, 100 children's supply packages, 100 blankets, 100 mattresses, and 100 roll tents.

Subsequently, North Langkat Regency received assistance from the Darusaadah Central Warehouse amounting to Rp 500.9 million, which includes 200 adult clothing items, 200 children's clothing items, 200 mattresses, 300 blankets, 200 family supply packages, 200 children's supply packages, 300 folding tents, and 2 units of multipurpose tents. Lastly, South Tapanuli Regency received assistance from the BBPPKS Padang Warehouse in the form of 100 family supply packages, 100 children's supply packages, 100 blankets, 100 mattresses, 100 folding tents, and 1 unit of a multipurpose tent.

"On the ground, assistance for Mandailing Natal has arrived, while distribution to Tapanuli Tengah, Sibolga City, and Tapanuli Utara is still ongoing due to landslides at several points along the route," said Saifullah.

In West Sumatra Province, the total assistance distributed amounts to Rp 607.1 million, which is allocated to Pasaman Barat Regency from the West Sumatra Provincial Social Service Warehouse totaling Rp 171.6 million. This consists of 1.2 tons of regular rice, 200 ready-to-eat food packages, 160 children's food packages, 40 family supply packages, 80 children's supply packages, 40 roll tents, 40 mattresses, and 1 dumlap package.

In Padang Pariaman Regency, assistance has arrived from the West Sumatra Provincial Social Service Warehouse amounting to IDR 124.1 million, which includes 2 tons of regular rice, 100 ready-to-eat meal packages, 60 mattresses, 50 folding tents, 50 blankets, 50 family supply packages, 40 children's supply packages, and 160 children's meal packages. There is also assistance from the Padang BBPPKS amounting to IDR 130.4 million, which includes 50 family supply packages, 50 children's supply packages, 258 ready-to-eat meal packages, 75 blankets, 75 mattresses, and 100 folding tents.

Meanwhile, in South Pesisir Regency, assistance came from the West Sumatra Provincial Social Service Warehouse amounting to Rp 180.8 million, which includes 200 ready-to-eat food packages, 160 children's food packages, 40 family supply packages, 80 children's supplies, 40 roll tents, 60 mattresses, and 10 units of portable family tents.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs, through Tagana (Disaster Preparedness Cadets), has also established four communal kitchens at strategic points to ensure that the food needs of affected residents are met," he stated.

As of now, the public kitchen service has reached 14,441 individuals, with distribution in Ulakan Tapakis District, Padang Pariaman amounting to 7,265 individuals, Bayang District in Pesisir Selatan totaling 5,876 individuals, Pasaman District in Pasaman Barat comprising 900 individuals, and 400 individuals in the city of Padang.

"For the Aceh region, assistance is being provided in the field assessment process and intensive coordination with the Aceh Provincial Government. This stage is necessary to ensure that the determination of needs and subsequent distribution can be carried out accurately and in accordance with the conditions on the ground," said Saifullah.

Separately, the Head of the Class A Search and Rescue Office (SAR) Banda Aceh, Ibnu Harris Al Hussain, reported that heavy rainfall in Aceh has persisted since Monday (24/11/2025). Several areas have experienced flooding, including the City of Langsa, the City of Lhokseumawe, North Aceh Regency, Pidie Jaya Regency, and Bireuen Regency.

The Aceh Search and Rescue Office has deployed three teams to the affected areas. However, the heavy rainfall that continues until Thursday (27/11/2025) afternoon has hindered the evacuation process for residents trapped in their homes. In several affected regions, there are also ongoing power outages and disrupted communication networks.

"We urge the public to always be careful and contact the evacuation team immediately if they are trapped or in an emergency," Ibnu said.

The heavy rainfall in three provinces is caused by the tropical cyclone Senyar, which made landfall in Sumatra, particularly in North Aceh, and as of Thursday (27/11/2025) morning, it is still located over East Aceh. This cyclone is predicted to move eastward, heading back towards the Malacca Strait, before it is expected to cross into Malaysia.

In addition to Indonesia, floods have also been reported in Malaysia and Thailand. Data from the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on Thursday (27/11/2025) morning indicates that the center of Cyclone Senyar is currently located near Langsa, at coordinates 4.4 degrees North Latitude (NL), 97.9 degrees East Longitude (BT), or approximately 120 kilometers southeast of Lhokseumawe. The maximum wind speed at the center of this cyclone reaches 35 knots or 65 kilometers per hour, moving eastward towards the Strait of Malacca.