50 Unimed Students Support Post-Disaster Recovery in Langkat
Medan — The Faculty of Education (FIP) at Universitas Negeri Medan (Unimed) has deployed 50 students from the Department of Non-Formal Education to implement the Ministry of Education’s Student Impact Programme for Post-Disaster Recovery 2026 in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
Dr Elvi Mailani, Vice Dean III of FIP Unimed, stated in Medan on Sunday that the initiative is expected to deliver positive impacts for communities affected by disaster.
The 50 students have been assigned to assist in the post-disaster recovery process following flooding and landslides in Kampung Darussalam, Desa Telaga Said, Kecamatan Sei Lepan, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
“The programme will be implemented over one month with a focus on community empowerment, economic strengthening, and social recovery,” she said.
During their time in the field, students will be accompanied by lecturers who will serve as group coordinators. “The faculty hopes that students will actively participate, integrate with the community, uphold the institution’s reputation, and maintain their health whilst carrying out fieldwork,” she added.
Mahfuzi Irwan, Head of the Unimed team supervisors, stated that student participation in the Student Impact Programme represents the campus’s commitment to directly engage in supporting disaster-affected communities.
He noted that post-disaster economic recovery will be the team’s primary focus during their stay in the location.
Several initiatives will be undertaken, including the utilisation of solar panels for lighting and alternative electricity sources, development of hydroponic systems, counselling services, and other support programmes.
The programme is expected to provide knowledge for communities to accelerate recovery processes and encourage economic self-reliance.
The team will also focus on strengthening existing community enterprises in the village. Students will support residents in developing creative ideas and fostering new product innovations that offer added value and market competitiveness.
Before departure, students completed training on topics relevant to the disaster-affected region, including post-disaster management, community interaction ethics, field risk mitigation, and needs-based local programme planning.
Activities will focus on strategic sectors including food security, energy independence, public health, and the development of creative economy, green economy, and blue economy.
“The presence of Unimed students is expected to create tangible improvements in the community’s economic conditions and open opportunities for sustainable collaboration between higher education institutions and villages in supporting local development and economic resilience,” he concluded.