Post-Floods and Landslides in Sumatra: Thousands of Residents Begin to Experience a Decline in Health Conditions

JAKARTA - The flash flood and landslide disasters that hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra at the end of November 2025 left a health impact that residents began to feel. Access to nutritious food and medical services is an urgent need to prevent the decline in the physical condition of survivors, especially vulnerable groups.

In North Aceh and Aceh Tamiang, emergency medical services recorded hundreds of residents starting to complain of health problems. Field coordination from the Alpha Omega Foundation (YKAO) recorded at least 986 residents at the evacuation point had undergone free health checks and treatment.

Urgency of Nutritional Recovery One of the biggest challenges after the disaster is the loss of access to nutritious intake. The Field Coordinator for the Sumatra Disaster, YKAO, dr. Carla, highlighted the condition of mothers and children who lost access to ideal food. "Providing practical and nutritious instant nutritional intake is very helpful in maintaining their body's resistance during recovery," he said.

Responding to this condition, cross-sector collaboration was carried out to accelerate the distribution of assistance. PT Diamond Food Indonesia Tbk (Diamond Group) together with PT SIG Combibloc Indonesia (SIG Group) distributed tens of thousands of UHT milk packages and basic necessities in the affected locations.

Distribution of Logistics at Isolated Points The distribution of assistance is focused on areas that still require emergency attention, such as Rumoh Rayeuk Village, Geudumbak, to Tinjau Beach. In addition to nutrition, sleeping equipment and basic logistics are priorities to support the sanitation and rest of the displaced people.

"Our focus is on the speed of nutrient distribution to maintain the physical condition of the victims, especially children, in the midst of an emergency situation," said Melissa Huang, Director of Strategic Sales & Manufacturing Development Diamond Group.

In line with this, Noer Wellington from SIG Group Indonesia emphasized that strategic partnerships in the distribution of logistics are crucial so that assistance is targeted and quickly reaches the hands of the people who need it most.

This humanitarian action is expected to be the foundation in rebuilding the hope of the people during the transition from emergency response to total recovery.