Indonesia Floods 2025: HHRD Expands Relief Efforts Across Sumatra

At the end of November, Indonesia's Sumatra region was hit by one of the deadliest climate-related disasters in recent years.

Torrential rainfall, intensified by unusual cyclonic conditions rarely seen in the area, triggered catastrophic floods and landslides across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Entire villages were swept away, roads disappeared beneath collapse and mud, and bridges buckled under the force of the surging water.

Local officials report that the death toll is 969 people as of now, with hundreds still missing. Millions have been displaced or severely impacted as communities struggle without access to food, clean water, shelter, and medical support. For many families, the disaster struck overnight, giving them little time to leave.

HHRD Mobilizes as Needs Increase

HHRD teams are deploying clean water supplies, tents, baby formula, canned food, blankets, hygiene kits, and temporary shelters to families who have lost their homes. Preventative medicines are being distributed to mitigate the outbreak of waterborne diseases, a common threat in the aftermath of floods.

HHRD has appealed to donors worldwide that contributions directly fuel life-saving relief. The scale of displacement means needs will continue to grow in the coming weeks, especially with ongoing rainfall expected.

A Region HHRD Knows Well

• Wheelchairs and rehabilitation support
• Education and orphan care programs
• Ramadan and Qurbani distributions for locals and Rohingya refugees
• Skills development and vocational training
• Water projects for underserved communities

The causes of the November flooding are still being assessed, but the severity of the rainfall has renewed concern about the region's exposure to extreme weather. Communities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra were already vulnerable due to weakened infrastructure, land-use pressures, and difficult terrain, which heightened the disaster's impact.

A Call for Sustained Support

For now, the focus remains on survival.

The full extent of the crisis is still unfolding, and the need for coordinated relief remains essential. As efforts expand across the affected provinces, the focus is now on reaching isolated communities, restoring basic services, and supporting survivors through the long recovery ahead.

Learn more here: Indonesia Floods