Flood survivors in Babo Village, Aceh shift to timber labour to rebuild livelihoods

Aceh Timur, Aceh — The Village Head of Babo, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, Khairi Ramadhan has stated that several flood disaster survivors in the village have shifted occupations to become timber labourers, processing logs left by flooding to generate household income.

“Many residents are now working splitting wood, moving logs, becoming labourers processing timber logs from the flood,” said Khairi Ramadhan when met by ANTARA in Babo Village on Tuesday.

He explained that residents who shifted to timber labour previously worked in palm oil plantations, either independently or for companies. However, the palm oil lands where they worked were devastated by flooding, leaving them jobless.

“It happens that our port is active so timber logs from upstream (other villages) are washed here for loading and unloading,” he said.

He explained that flood-affected timber is typically split before being sold to residents, who then utilise it for house construction, business premises, and other purposes. Additionally, timber logs are usually distributed to factories in Medan, North Sumatra.

“So there are already buyers ordering them,” he said.

Khairi added that residents of Babo Village are currently working to rebuild an economy paralysed by the flooding disaster that occurred on 26 November 2025.

Besides working as timber labourers, some residents are also running small and medium enterprises such as selling basic groceries, food, including selling evening meal foods for breaking the fast, and other businesses.

“Indeed, many residents still rely on assistance to meet their needs, but many are also beginning to revive their economic activities,” he said.