Social Ministry Distributes Aid to Flood Victims in Central Tapanuli

The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) distributed logistical aid to flood victims in Sipange Village, Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday (19/7). The flooding was triggered by heavy rain that fell across the Central Tapanuli region on Saturday (18/7) at 15:30 WIB, causing the Aek Si Laga-laga River to overflow and inundate residential areas. “The goods were sent from the Insyaf Centre Warehouse in Medan to the Central Tapanuli Regency Social Service,” said Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) in a written statement on Monday (20/7/2026). The aid distributed included 350 packages of ready-to-eat side dishes, 160 children’s packages, 200 family kits, 150 mattresses, 200 blankets, 100 roll-up tents, and 17 portable roll-up tents. Based on preliminary data, 300 people were affected by the flooding. In addition, a field public kitchen funded by the Central Tapanuli Regency budget has been set up in the hall of the HKBP Sipange Church. This public kitchen is capable of producing 300 meals per day. “Efforts undertaken include evacuating affected residents to safer locations and conducting a thorough assessment at each incident site to identify the impact and urgent needs,” explained Gus Ipul. Currently, the floodwaters have receded. Local residents have also begun cleaning their respective homes.