Health-Based Approach Supports Recovery of Aceh Tamiang Residents Following Flooding
ACEH TAMIANG — Post-disaster community recovery efforts depend not only on infrastructure and economic restoration, but also on residents’ health conditions. In Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, a health-focused approach has become an important component in supporting the recovery of communities affected by recent flooding.
Through a Ramadan campaign titled “Improve Immunity, Strengthen Faith”, STIMUNO has collaborated with Dompet Dhuafa to distribute food aid and health support to residents in Melati Hamlet and Durian Village, Aceh Tamiang.
The flooding that struck several areas in Aceh Tamiang damaged thousands of homes and disrupted community activities. During recovery, meeting nutritional needs and maintaining public health resilience are critical factors for economic and social activities to resume normally.
Mateus Ramidi, Manager of Dharma Dexa, stated that the programme was designed to provide support relevant to community needs during the recovery period, particularly from a health perspective.
“This programme represents an effort to provide assistance that can be felt directly by communities during recovery, whilst strengthening collaboration so that aid reaches those in need more widely,” said Mateus.
Through the programme, assistance includes communal kitchens, iftar meals, festive snacks, and health product support for thousands of beneficiaries. The aid distribution took place on 5 March 2026 and was combined with a community iftar gathering.
Dr Mustakim, Head of the Aceh Tamiang Regency Health Office, stated that health support for communities is crucial in accelerating post-disaster recovery.
“Ramadan is an opportune moment to strengthen social solidarity. Support like this provides real benefits to communities whilst strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration in protecting public health,” he said.
Beyond food aid, residents also received STIMUNO health products, a phytopharmaceutical product made from herbal extract of Phyllanthus niruri (traditional heartleaf plant). This product has undergone clinical trials in various hospitals across Indonesia for conditions including acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, influenza-like illnesses, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, vaginal candidiasis, and varicella.
Andy Mitra Gunadi, General Manager of Consumer Health at PT Dexa Medica, stated that the campaign also encourages communities to maintain their health resilience whilst observing Ramadan, whilst expanding benefits to residents undergoing recovery.
“By maintaining health resilience, communities can carry out daily activities more effectively. Through community participation in this programme, the benefits are expected to reach more communities recovering from disaster impacts,” said Andy.
This programme continues STIMUNO’s Ramadan campaign “Improve Immunity, Strengthen Faith”, which has operated since the previous year. Whilst 2025 activities focused on distributing aid to those in financial hardship and orphaned children, the 2026 programme has been expanded to support disaster-affected communities through a health-focused approach and nutritional provision.
Through this approach, Ramadan becomes not only a time to strengthen religious observance, but also to strengthen community health resilience as part of post-disaster social and economic recovery efforts.