CENTRAL TAPANULI, NORTH SUMATRA —-— After flash floods and landslides hit Central Tapanuli Regency in late November 2025, access to clean water became an urgent need for the affected communities. Responding to this situation, Dompet Dhuafa, through its Disaster Management Center (DMC), provided a medium-term solution through a piping program in Bona Lumban Village, Tukka District.
The flood disaster contaminated the residents’ water sources, rendering them unusable. As a result, the community had to search for water deep in the forest, which was quite far away. This situation was conveyed directly by one of the survivors, Jannes Tarihoran.
“After the flood, all the water was murky. There was no river water, no tap water. So we had no choice but to go to the forest together to find water,” said Jannes on Friday (01/30/2026).
Seeing this situation, Dompet Dhuafa collaborated with Bridgestone Tire Indonesia to realize a piping program by channeling water from the spring to the residents’ settlements. The construction of a 900-meter pipe reached around 150 households in Neighborhoods 3 and 4 of Bona Lumban Village.
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Before the piping system was installed, residents had to rely on rainwater to meet their daily needs. However, this situation was unsustainable, especially during the dry season.
“A month after the flood, it was extremely difficult to find water. In the past, we could still collect rainwater, but now that is no longer possible,” said Jannes.
Through this program, clean water is now more accessible and safer for the community. Residents no longer have to travel long distances carrying jerry cans, including involving children in this activity.
“Now the water source is close by. We are very grateful, because before we had to go so far into the forest to find water,” said Jannes.
Read also: Clean Water Crisis After Flash Floods in Central Tapanuli
Dompet Dhuafa emphasizes that providing access to clean water is part of its ongoing post-disaster recovery efforts. Assistance to survivors will continue until the basic needs of the community are met and life gradually returns to normal.
This effort is a manifestation of Dompet Dhuafa’s commitment to providing humanitarian solutions to respond to emergency needs, while also supporting the sustainability of the lives of communities affected by disasters. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Shinta FN, DMC, Aji Pangestu
Editor: Dhika