SUMATRA ISLAND — High rainfall in a number of regions has once again caused a series of disasters. Flash floods and landslides have hit a number of regions in Indonesia. After hitting areas on the island of Java a few weeks ago, this time floods and landslides have occurred on a massive scale on the island of Sumatra since Monday (11/24/2025). The high intensity of rainfall over the past week has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides in three provinces, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Based on data compiled by the Disaster Management Center (DMC) Response Team, the affected areas are very extensive. In Aceh, floods have submerged more than 16 areas, including Pidie, Aceh Besar, Aceh Tamiang, and South Aceh. A similar situation has occurred in North Sumatra, where 11 areas, such as Mandailing Natal, South Nias, Central Tapanuli, and South Tapanuli, have been completely paralyzed. Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, 15 regions, including Padang Pariaman, Tanah Datar, Agam, and Pesisir Selatan, suffered severe damage due to flash floods and landslides. These conditions resulted in a number of houses being washed away by the currents, roads and bridges being cut off, thousands of residents being forced to evacuate, and casualties.
Aware of this situation, Dompet Dhuafa, through its Humanitarian Response Team, Disaster Management Center (DMC), and branches in North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra, moved quickly to provide emergency response. The response ranged from evacuation to providing food and other necessities for the evacuees.
“After responding quickly to a number of flood and landslide sites, as well as the eruption of Mount Semeru on the island of Java a few days ago, we are now focusing our response on the island of Sumatra. Considering that in a number of evacuation sites in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, residents are surviving in very limited conditions. Many of them only brought the clothes on their backs when they fled. Children, mothers, and the elderly are temporarily staying in evacuation centers with minimal facilities,” explained Shofa Qudus, Head of DMC Dompet Dhuafa, when contacted via text message on Saturday (November 29, 2025).
Shofa Qudus added that the Humanitarian Response Team is already at each location, assisting with the evacuation process and coordinating with local disaster management agencies.
“We are still focused on handling the response and searching for missing victims. We have also started setting up public kitchens at several points. Meanwhile, to facilitate coordination and delivery of aid, we have activated a command post in Medan as the closest safe area to Aceh and Padang. We have prepared equipment such as armored vehicles, rubber boats, helmets, oxygen tanks, and so on,” explained Shofa.
Currently, the North Sumatra post can be contacted at: 0812-6573-9958 (Sulaiman) and 0858-5669-0189 (Taqi) or visit the Dompet Dhuafa Waspada Office located at Kompleks Kapten Muslim Business Point Blok E No. 17 Sei Sikambing Sei 2, Sei Sikambing C. II, R Medan Helvetia Subdistrict, Medan City, North Sumatra-20122.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, we can be contacted at: 0813-3766-3223 (Novil) and 0812-9172-6244 (Erwandi), as well as the Dompet Dhuafa Singgalang Office located at Pasar Pagi, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No.31C, Rimbo Kaluang, Kec. Padang Bar., West Padang, West Sumatra-25115.
For Banda Aceh, we can be contacted at: 0811-688-686 (Fauzan) and 0813-8904-9006 (Barqu), or visit the Dompet Dhuafa Aceh Office at Jl. Teuku Imuem No.61 C, Lamseupeung, Lueng Bata, Banda Aceh City, Aceh-23127.
In North Sumatra, there are two locations, namely on Jalan Tarutung -Sibolga, Adiankoting Village, Adiankoting District, North Tapanuli Regency, with the contact number 0812-6529-1566 (Angga) and the Nurul Islam Mosque on Jl. Karya, Cinta Damai Village, Medan Helvetia District, Medan City, with the contact number 0813-7088-9967 (Azit).
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Volunteers Take Action to Clean Up After Floods in Padang
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, there are three locations, namely in Kampung Apa, Abi Housing Complex, Lubuk Minturun Village, Kota Tangah District, West Sumatra, with the contact number 0853-6654-5405 (Amrul). Then in Kampuang Galapuang, Ulakan Village, Ulakan Tapakis District, Padang Pariaman Regency with contact number 0838-9707-1337 (Fajri). And in Jorong Koto Nagari Sumani, X Koto Singkarak District, Solok Regency, with contact number 0852-1544-7664 (Dewa).
Then, in Aceh, there are three locations, namely in Lueng Mesjid, Pidie Regency, Aceh, and Jojo, Mutiara Tim. District, Pidie Regency, Aceh, and on Jl. Simpang Tiga, Beurawang, Meureudu District, Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, with the contact number 0852-6041-7053 (Mul).
Based on the data collected, currently there are a total of 174 people dead and 12,546 families displaced. However, these numbers may still increase, as there are still many areas that cannot be accessed and the data collection process is ongoing.
For donations to support disaster survivors in Sumatra, Dompet Dhuafa has opened a donation channel at digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/prayforsumatera.
Text and photos: Bani K
Editor: Ronna