Governor Claims North Sumatran Flood Disaster Evacuation Numbers Near Zero
North Sumatran Governor Bobby Nasution has assured that there are no longer residents affected by floods and landslides remaining in evacuation tents in advance of the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah celebration in 2026.
The evacuees who were previously in several disaster-affected areas have been relocated to temporary housing, permanent housing, or have received cash assistance for accommodation purposes.
“According to reports in North Sumatra, the numbers are already minimal, and have nearly reached zero with everyone relocated—some to temporary housing and some to permanent housing,” said Bobby in Medan on Monday (16 March).
Beyond relocation to temporary and permanent housing, the North Sumatran Provincial Government has also distributed the Housing Waiting Fund (Dana Tunggu Hunian) programme to residents who have not yet obtained permanent shelter. The assistance is provided in cash to enable residents to rent temporary housing or stay with family members.
“Some receive the housing waiting fund. The fund is not provided as housing but as money for rent, so it is acceptable whether they rent from houses that are available for rent or stay at their relatives’ homes, but they still receive money to help the family they are staying with. So it has been realised,” he said.
Bobby added that evacuation posts at several locations still appear active because food supplies and logistical assistance such as basic provisions are still being distributed there. However, in reality, no residents are permanently staying at these posts.
“In reality, if they are living permanently, there are no longer any residents. Perhaps food was still being provided there yesterday, basic provisions were still there, so it seemed like people were still present. But in reality, no one is living in evacuation centres anymore—they are empty,” he explained.
The floods and landslides that struck North Sumatra on 25 November 2025 have left ongoing issues. The disaster affected 479,047 households or 1,803,725 people. Meanwhile, 376 people were killed, four were injured, and 40 were reported missing.
Previously, the North Sumatran Provincial Disaster Management Operations Centre (Pusdalops PB) recorded 3,016 people still in evacuation due to the floods and landslides that occurred on 27 November 2025 in the province.
A total of 3,016 people from 754 households were still in evacuation, spread across two of the 20 regencies and cities that were hit by the disaster in early March 2026.
Pusdalops Sumut recorded thousands of evacuees distributed in Central Tapanuli Regency with 2,564 people and South Tapanuli Regency with 452 people.