LANGKAT, NORTH SUMATRA — The massive flooding that hit Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, left behind a story that was far more harrowing than what was seen on social media. The pain of the survivors was witnessed firsthand by Chiki Fawzi, a Super Volunteer from Dompet Dhuafa, who was involved in assisting the evacuation in Langkat.
“It’s been seven days since the disaster, but the water is still quite high. I’m at a loss for words, because since earlier, mothers have been coming to tell me how they were forced to become single parents, their homes were submerged, and even their bicycles were swept away by the current,” said Chiki.
In Air Hitam Village on Tuesday (December 2, 2025), Chiki and other Dompet Dhuafa volunteers invited around 40 children to participate in Psychological First Aid (PFA) activities. They tried to calm their stress and boredom and distract them from their grief and anxiety for a moment. Chiki also helped distribute food to around 500 survivors around the evacuation post.
“To all the mothers, fathers, and children, may Allah continue to give you strength. Stay strong. May what we do here continue to raise awareness, so that we can provide more assistance to those who have not yet received help,” he concluded.
One of the survivors, Lendi Elfrida, recalls the moment when the water suddenly swept through their neighborhood. She quickly saved herself, without having time to take anything but the clothes on her back. All of her belongings were lost in the flood.
“Starting on Wednesday night, it rained heavily. Then it rained continuously for three days. Floods of this magnitude are rare here, so we really didn’t know where to go,“ said Lendi on Tuesday (12/3/2025).
”None of our clothes could be saved. Only what we were wearing. All our belongings were lost,” she said.
Lendi is now staying at an evacuation center in the Air Hitam area, Gebang District. During the emergency period, he relied on the Public Kitchen service managed by the Disaster Management Center (DMC) Dompet Dhuafa to meet his daily food needs.
“Thank you very much to everyone who has helped. Here, we can eat and drink for free,” he said.
According to Lendi, the existence of the Public Kitchen is very meaningful, especially when food and medicine are the most urgent needs. The flood has shaken his life; everything he had worked so hard to build has been destroyed in an instant.
“Hopefully, there will be no more disasters like this,” he added.
Friends, they [NEED IMMEDIATE HELP] PRAY FOR SUMATERA. With kindness, let us take a moment to send our best prayers to those who are grieving and let us strengthen our solidarity to support those who have been affected. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Muhammad Afriza Adha, DMC
Editor: Dhika