Smooth Assistance, Tapteng-Sibolga Residents Say Thank You To President Prabowo

Food food assistance as a basic need is distributed by InJourney to those affected by the Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra Floods. (IST)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) continues to move quickly to distribute various types of assistance to residents who are severely affected by floods and landslides in the Central Tapanuli (Tapteng) and Sibolga areas, North Sumatra Province (North Sumatra). For the response and concern given, the affected community expressed their special appreciation to President Prabowo Subianto.

Zainal Arifin Tanjung, a resident of Tolang Elok Permai Housing, Aek Talang Village, expressed his gratitude. I would like to thank our President, Prabowo Subianto, who has given his time, assistance, and concern to the residents of Central Tapanuli and Sibolga Regencies," said Zainal Arifin Tanjung, quoted from ANTARA, Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

He added that assistance in the form of food, medicine, blankets, baby diapers, and various other urgent needs continued to come to the Pandan Sports Center, which is now designated as the main post for residents affected by floods and landslides. "Alhamdulillah, the government provides free meals at the Pandan Sports Center. We here get free food so that our health is maintained. Thank God, it means that there is government attention for us," he added.

Meskipun demikian, Zainal berharap agar pemerintah dapat mempercepat pemulihan pasca-bencana, khususnya di Sibolga dan Tapanuli Tengah. Ia khawatir jika kondisi tidak segera dinormalisasi, akan muncul masalah sosial baru di tengah masyarakat. Jadi kondisi ini jangan cepat cepat normalisasinya, tegas Zainal.

Until this afternoon, the distribution of aid for flood and landslide victims in Central Tapanuli was optimized by air from the Silangit Airfield. A total of seven helicopters were deployed from Silangit Air Base, covering two Bell 412 helicopters belonging to the Indonesian Army, one Mi-17 helicopter belonging to the Indonesian Army, and four helicopters belonging to the BNPB.

A large amount of assistance prepared to be distributed to Tapanuli Tengah and Sibolga includes foodstuffs such as 48 sacks of rice, fast food, biscuits, instant noodles, and bread. In addition to food, the stock available at Silangit Air Base also includes other emergency needs such as medicines, tents, velbeds, mattresses, and folding mattresses. The government through BNPB also provides operational and mobility support, including Starlink devices, generators, polyethylene boats, gas stoves, and gas cylinders. Clothing assistance is also distributed, including sarongs, headscarves, blankets, sanitary napkins, children's diapers, baby diapers, and adult diapers.