ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – On the 24th day after flash floods and landslides struck West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh, the death toll continues to rise.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 16 December 2025, 1,059 people have died, with Agam Regency reporting the highest number of fatalities at 184, followed by North Aceh Regency with 166 deaths.
Displacement is reported at 190 shelters, affecting 106,300 people, with women making up the majority (55,725). 52 regencies and cities remain impacted, while 192 people are still missing and roughly 7,000 injured.
Housing and Infrastructure Damage
Homes destroyed: 147,236 units (44,051 heavily damaged, 29,809 moderately, 73,376 minor)
Public facilities damaged: 1,600 units
Health facilities: 219 units
Educational facilities: 967 units
Places of worship: 434 units
Government buildings/offices: 290 units
Bridges: 145 units
Current Situation in Aceh
Deaths: 451, highest in North Aceh (166)
Injured: ±4,300
Missing: 31
Refugees: 493,800 in 18 districts/cities
Damaged homes: 106,060 units
Damaged facilities: 1,100 public, 691 schools, 153 health centers, 261 offices, 210 places of worship, 36 bridges
Current Situation in North Sumatra
Deaths: 364, highest in Central Tapanuli (131)
Injured: ±2,300
Missing: 75
Refugees: ±16,100
Damaged homes: 28,725 units
Damaged facilities: 80 public, 60 schools, 63 bridges, 1 health facility, 19 places of worship
Current Situation in West Sumatra
Deaths: 244, highest in Agam (184)
Injured: 382
Missing: 86
Refugees: ±4,300
Damaged homes: 12,451 units
Damaged facilities: 486 public, 216 schools, 65 health centers, 205 places of worship, 29 offices, 46 bridges
Crisis Response and Call for National Disaster Status
The National Post for Sumatra, a coalition of 21 civil society organizations, urges President Prabowo Subianto to immediately declare a National Disaster Status for Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
After 24 days, the government’s response remains slow and inadequate, leaving victims at risk due to delayed logistics, limited medical services, and substandard shelters.
“Most refugees are infants, children, women, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. Some residents said, ‘Just send us coffins, because it’s not the disaster killing us, it’s the response.’” – Afif, WALHI Aceh on December 18, 2024.
Similar conditions are reported in North Sumatra and West Sumatra, with isolated villages, collapsed bridges, water shortages, and insufficient manpower and equipment for search and rescue.
Vulnerable populations face hunger, disease, and rising risks of violence, while the government focuses on political narratives and national projects rather than emergency relief.
Civil Society Demands
The National Post emphasizes immediate actions:
1. Declare a National Disaster Status for the ecological disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
2. Deploy urgent logistics, including food, medicine, fuel, women and children’s needs, safe shelters, personnel, heavy equipment, and transportation for relief and recovery operations.
Edy K. Wahid, Public Attorney at YLBHI, stresses that the government is legally obliged to maximize all resources to protect citizens, as mandated under Law 24/2007 and Government Regulation 21/2008.
Busyro Muqoddas, Chair of Muhammadiyah’s Law and Human Rights Division, notes that this disaster highlights humanitarian failures rooted in state policy, and national project budgets should be redirected to save lives.
“People Helping People” Solidarity remains the fastest response, as the government lags behind. Stacked logistics, power outages, and isolated areas persist, while legal experts and civil society leaders warn that the state has failed its constitutional duty.
For attention, the 2025 Sumatra disaster has claimed over 1,000 lives and left thousands facing hunger, destroyed homes, and limited access to basic services. Declaring a National Disaster Status is crucial to expedite relief, coordinate national and international aid, and prevent further humanitarian losses. (AT Network)
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