North Sumatra Red Cross Revives Students' Learning Spirit in Central Tapanuli

Medan (ANTARA) — The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of North Sumatra Province has revived students’ learning spirit by delivering educational aid in Central Tapanuli Regency.

“We have distributed assistance for students including school uniforms, school kits, and hygiene packages at SMP Negeri 1 Tukka, Central Tapanuli,” said PMI North Sumatra Field Coordinator Ade Yudiansyah in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra, on Sunday.

The step, he said, was taken following field assessments showing that many students were forced to attend school wearing house clothes. This occurred because their uniforms and school supplies were damaged or swept away by the severe flooding in the area in late November 2025.

“We are not only focused on student needs such as notebooks and school supplies. PMI is also attentive to the welfare of teaching staff,” he said.

The aid distributed to teachers, he said, includes dignity kits—emergency packages containing basic personal hygiene items. “Hygiene kits, and school cleaning supplies. Additional services include free health checkups and vitamin distribution for both students and teachers,” he said.

Beyond physical aid, he said, PMI North Sumatra volunteers also brought cheer to the school environment through psychosocial support, health promotion, and hygiene promotion. “Through games and group singing, students are encouraged to let go of their disaster trauma so they can regain their enthusiasm for learning,” he said.

He also stressed that the education sector is a priority to ensure teaching and learning activities do not come to a halt, particularly in Central Tapanuli. “Learning must not stop simply because of issues with uniforms and school supplies. This is just the beginning—we will continue similar activities at other disaster-affected schools,” Ade said.

The principal of SMP Negeri 1 Tukka, Hia, expressed appreciation for PMI North Sumatra’s assistance and concern for the students, teachers, and the school. Although the school building was not directly damaged, he said, many students were disaster victims affected at their own homes.

“Indeed our school was not affected, but the students were directly impacted. Previously, they had not received assistance from any party,” he said.