12,994 Flood Survivors Observing Fasting in Evacuation Centres; Acehnese Migrants Assist with Borehole Wells and Eid Preparations
Flood victims in Aceh province continue to endure extremely difficult circumstances. Three months after the disaster, at least 12,994 survivors are forced to observe Ramadan 1447 H in evacuation tents under dire conditions.
Evacuees struggle with cold nights and mosquito attacks. The shortage of adequate food for breaking fast, the crisis in bed facilities, and emergency preparations for pre-dawn meals have become daily occurrences. The situation is worsened by the loss of livelihoods due to rice fields buried under thick silt and orchards destroyed by floodwaters.
To alleviate these difficulties, several Acehnese migrants in Jakarta, coordinated by tent entrepreneur Haji Nazaruddin, have distributed hundreds of Eid aid packages to flood victims in their homeland. The assistance consists of sarongs, prayer mats and mosquito nets.
One of the main distribution locations is Lubuk Sidup Village, Sekrak District, Aceh Tamiang Regency. This remote village was the hardest hit when massive floods struck on 24-27 November 2025, with nearly all homes swept away by the current.
Nazaruddin, a migrant from Leupeuem, Sakti District, Pidie Regency, stated that the donations were collected through contributions from Acehnese migrants and donations from their colleagues on the island of Java.
“Although we are far away in a foreign land, we cannot turn away from what the flood survivors in our homeland are experiencing. God willing, we will always share so that they can rise again quickly,” Nazaruddin told Media Indonesia on Monday (9/3).
This round of aid distribution is the third wave. Previously, the migrant group had distributed eight large and medium-sized boreholes to address the clean water crisis.
The clean water facilities were allocated to Mudi Mesra Samalanga Girls’ Islamic Boarding School in Bireuen Regency, as well as several locations in North Aceh and Aceh Tamiang Regencies. In addition to assistance for survivors’ families, aid also targeted mosques and pesantren in the disaster areas.
Nazaruddin hopes the sarongs can be used as blankets to ward off the cold or clothing for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr prayers. Meanwhile, the mats and mosquito nets are expected to provide some comfort for those still in evacuation centres.
Hundreds of thousands of Sumatra flood survivors continue to spend their days amid the devastation and piles of logs swept by floodwaters. The atmosphere in Kolang District, Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatra, suddenly became frightening at night. Fear of further floods compels residents in Tukka District, Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatra, to leave their homes filled with flood debris.
Twenty-nine villages and hamlets across Sumatra have been reported lost due to flash floods and landslides. Despite government claims that post-flood recovery in Sumatra has improved, the situation on the ground remains dire.
Based on the latest report received on Sunday (1/3), the number of evacuees comes from 921 household heads and is spread across two of 20 affected districts and cities.
Amidst rice fields once buried under knee-high silt from the hydrometeorological disaster, a glimmer of hope is beginning to emerge. AEON is distributing humanitarian aid through the Indonesian National Zakat Collection Agency (Baznas) as part of efforts to support recovery in Sumatra.
For more than three months, in order to simply purchase rice, medicine or other basic necessities, residents have had to brave the rushing river currents and slippery rocks.