A coalition of women’s organisations partnering with the INKLUSI Program—including the PERMAMPU Consortium (Flower Aceh, PESADA North Sumatra, LP2M West Sumatra) and the Institut KAPAL Perempuan—is calling for a fast, transparent, and inclusive disaster response to the floods and landslides that have devastated Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
This call was voiced in an online press conference titled “Women’s Voices from the Sumatra Floods: An Inclusive Humanitarian Emergency” held on Saturday, 29 November 2025, to ensure emergency response efforts address the specific needs of women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Since 24 November 2025, floods and landslides have caused widespread damage and loss of life across the three provinces. In Aceh, at least 35 people were killed and 25 reported missing, with the disaster affecting 16 of 23 districts, including areas where Flower Aceh works.
In North Sumatra, 147 people have died and 174 remain unaccounted for, with major displacement in PESADA-supported areas such as Langkat, Sibolga, and Central Tapanuli.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, at least 75 deaths and approximately 69,000 displaced people were reported, with Padang Pariaman, Padang City, and Pesisir Selatan among the worst-hit districts.
Road closures, collapsed bridges, power outages, and communication blackouts have isolated many communities, delaying access to emergency information and prolonging displacement.
Field Testimonies
During the press conference, INKLUSI partners shared current conditions from the field.
Marini (PESADA field staff) described how she and residents in Langkat struggled to access evacuation information. “At 1 PM I went to the village office, but it was empty. Residents didn’t know where to go,” she said. She and dozens of others sheltered in an upper-floor house without electricity or aid, before evacuating by boat and on foot.
Dara Sembiring (PESADA), stationed in Central Tapanuli, was stranded by landslides and took shelter in a roadside stall for two nights with residents, many of them women, children, and the elderly. As food ran low, she walked out of the isolated area, passing through landslide zones and damaged villages.
In Aceh, Riswati (Flower Aceh) reported limited access to many affected areas. “Infrastructure is down, communication is cut off,” she said, stressing the urgency of clean water, emergency healthcare, and treatment for waterborne diseases like diarrhea.
In West Sumatra, Felmi Yetti (LP2M) witnessed landslides that blocked critical access routes. “Many people were swept away, including local residents,” she said, adding that disrupted logistics prolonged displacement in several areas.
Inclusive Disaster Response that Protects All
The coalition emphasised that women and vulnerable groups face disproportionate burdens during disasters—losing livelihoods while bearing caregiving responsibilities. Evacuation shelters often lack basic needs like sanitary supplies, safe toilets, and protective spaces, increasing the risk of gender-based violence.
Dina Lumbantobing (PERMAMPU) stressed the need for inclusive disaster management. “A strong and coordinated response is crucial to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
Ulfa Kasim (Institut KAPAL Perempuan) highlighted that women’s organizations and community groups have led evacuations, set up community kitchens, and collected survivor data—but these efforts must be supported by broader systems to reach everyone.
Ronald Silalahi (PESADA) added: “The scale of destruction and number of victims in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra has clearly exceeded local capacity. Without national disaster designation, response efforts remain slow and fragmented, while women and vulnerable groups face the greatest risks.”
Key Recommendations for Inclusive Disaster Response
The coalition provides the following recommendations to ensure that no one—especially the most vulnerable—is left behind.
- Accelerate evacuation and search efforts, especially in remote areas.
-
Ensure access to basic and specific needs for women and vulnerable groups: clean water, safe sanitation, health services (including reproductive health), psychosocial support, and supplies for pregnant women, the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.
-
Prevent gender-based violence in shelters through safe spaces and clear referral mechanisms.
-
Meaningfully involve women’s organizations and local communities in needs assessments, aid distribution, and recovery planning.
-
Maintain data and budget transparency to ensure targeted and equitable aid distribution.
