TAPANULI SELATAN, INDONESIA — On the fourth day of the ongoing emergency response to floods, landslides, and an earthquake affecting parts of North Sumatra, DT Peduli successfully delivered emergency assistance to 633 beneficiaries on Thursday (4 December 2025), despite severely restricted access to the affected areas.
Continuous heavy rain across Batang Toru District has prevented conditions from improving. Several villages—including Batu Horing, Aek Ngadol, Huta Godang, Benteng, Garoga, Kampung Duren, and Taman Sari—remain covered in thick mud, with roads heavily damaged and communication lines disrupted. Preliminary reports indicate that around 100 residents are still unaccounted for, with search efforts ongoing.
According to DT Peduli, the aid distributed on the fourth day included medicines, ready-to-eat meals, milk, baby and adult diapers, baby porridge, biscuits, warm beverages, hygiene supplies, and prayer equipment. Distribution was carried out directly at the emergency posts to meet the basic needs of survivors, including meal services for 180 people at one of the shelters. Operations relied on a single ambulance capable of navigating terrain accessible only to specialized vehicles.
In addition to distributing logistics, DT Peduli volunteers participated in search and evacuation efforts alongside local authorities and community members in Huta Godang and Garoga. Evacuations were conducted with extreme caution due to the unstable landscape and high risk of secondary landslides.
“Extreme weather conditions remain a serious threat. Recurrent flooding, landslides, and falling trees may occur at any time. Impact data and casualty figures may still change as verification continues,” said one DT Peduli volunteer.
As the fourth night of the emergency approached, the most urgent needs included ready-to-eat food, blankets, clean clothing, drinking water, hygiene kits, undergarments, and baby and adult diapers. DT Peduli is reinforcing public kitchens and warming stations at night to support families still sheltering at evacuation points.
By the fourth day, the total number of individuals assisted had reached 1,454 people. Humanitarian efforts are expected to continue, supported by additional assessments to cover villages that have not yet received aid.
The disaster is still unfolding. Yet in the midst of these dark and difficult days, every aid package delivered brings a small but significant light of hope to the people of Batang Toru as they struggle to endure and recover.
Editor: Agus ID