Statement from Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, CEO of Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia)
The recurring episodes of extreme, high-intensity rainfall over several consecutive days have triggered large-scale hydrometeorological disasters. Flash floods, landslides, and riverbank erosion accompanied by large amounts of wood debris have struck Aceh (18 districts/cities), North Sumatra (17 districts/cities), and West Sumatra (15 districts/cities). According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 8 December 2025 at 17:30 WIB, approximately 961 people have been reported dead, 293 remain missing, and 5,000 others sustained injuries. Widespread disruption to transportation routes has further slowed access to affected areas.
Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP) continues to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the Indonesia Humanitarian Country Team (IHCT) to conduct joint needs assessments. A rapid humanitarian operation is being undertaken with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and other partners, prioritizing life-saving assistance, gender-responsive programming, and early recovery interventions based on validated field evidence.
115 hygiene kits have distributed on 7 December 2025 to 115 households in Pancuang Taba Village, IV Nagari Bayang Utara, South Pesisir District, West Sumatra Province, collaborative efforts from CARE and PMI West Sumatra. Each hygiene kit included bucket, soap, toothpaste, adult toothbrushes, shampoo, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, two 5-liter jerry cans, and dipper. Additional emergency relief items will also be distributed in West Sumatra, comprising 550 hygiene and food packages, 450 family kits, and water trucking services with a daily capacity of 15,000 liters.
CARE will conduct field data collection to ensure gender-responsive and targeted assistance through Rapid Needs Assessments (RNA) and Rapid Gender Assessments (RGA) in Aceh and West Sumatra Provinces. These assessments will help review the escalating impacts of the disaster in affected locations. Moving forward, CARE will continue working with local governments and partners to support both short and medium term, within 60–90-day period of recovery phases in the affected communities, based on the findings of the rapid gender and needs assessments.
Statement from a Survivor
“Even though my house was swept away by the floods, I am grateful that all five of my children survived. I would like to express my sincere thanks to CARE Indonesia and PMI for providing hygiene kits that we can use to clean ourselves.”
— Afri Yeni (49), resident of Pancuang Taba Village, IV Nagari Bayang Utara Subdistrict, Pesisir Selatan District, West Sumatra Province
