Indonesiantalk.com — IPDN Moves Swiftly to Deliver Aid to Disaster-Hit Provinces in Sumatra
The Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) under the Home Affairs Ministry mobilized rapid-response teams on Saturday (Dec. 6, 2025) to distribute emergency assistance to disaster-affected communities in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra. The three provinces have been reeling from severe floods and landslides over the past week.
IPDN’s academic community and praja (cadets) pooled a total of Rp 460 million (US$29,000) in humanitarian aid, which was spent directly in the affected provinces to stimulate local economic activity while meeting urgent needs.
“We coordinated with IPDN alumni and the regional leadership forums (Forkopimda) in each province to help us procure essential goods from the nearest reachable areas,” IPDN Rector Halilul Khairi said. “In West Sumatra, we also worked closely with the faculty and students of IPDN’s local campus to ensure assistance reached the hardest-hit regions.”
The aid package consisted of rice, cooking oil, instant food, baby formula, drinking water, clothing, blankets, medicine, baby diapers, sanitary pads, and other essential items. IPDN campuses across Indonesia also conducted clothing drives, sending boxes of usable garments to evacuation centers.
West Sumatra: Critical Operations in Agam Regency
West Sumatra has been among the worst-hit areas. In Agam Regency alone, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported 171 fatalities, 85 missing persons, and 6,300 displaced residents as of Saturday.
To accelerate relief efforts, IPDN deployed cadets and staff to four of the most heavily affected districts: Malalak, Palupuh, Palembayan, and Matur. According to Rector Halilul, access to most locations remained difficult.
“Only Palupuh can currently be reached by regular vehicles,” he said. “Aid was delivered directly to the Disaster Response Posts at the Pasia Laweh Nagari Office and the Palupuh Subdistrict Office.”
In total, IPDN distributed 307 sacks of rice, 33 boxes of cooking oil, 54 boxes of baby formula, as well as instant food, mineral water, diapers, medicine, and supplies for communal kitchens.
Aceh: Aid Focused on Pidie
Another IPDN team was dispatched simultaneously to Aceh, concentrating efforts in Pidie Regency, the area most devastated by flooding and landslides. Field observations showed staggering damage, with 67,943 residents displaced.
North Sumatra: Challenging Terrain in Tapanuli Utara
A separate team delivered aid to the Emergency Command Post for hydrometeorological disasters in North Tapanuli, located at the Tarutung National Building. Heavy rainfall, submerged roads, and impassable terrain hampered distribution efforts.
“Access remains very limited. Many sections are still flooded, and continuous rain makes it difficult for us to reach other posts,” Halilul reported.
IPDN also extended assistance to Langkat Regency, providing 4.25 tons of rice, sugar, instant noodles, mineral water, baby food, 17 boxes of milk, 50 boxes of baby biscuits, 100 kilograms of salted fish, blankets, medicine, and other supplies.
Consistent Commitment to Disaster Response
IPDN emphasized its long-standing commitment to disaster response across Indonesia. The institution was also among the earliest responders during the 2024 West Sumatra cold lava floods and landslides, providing aid to Agam and Tanah Datar Regencies.
Likewise, during the 2022 Cianjur earthquake, IPDN cadets and teaching staff established relief posts and volunteered for several days.
“As a public service institution under the Ministry of Home Affairs, IPDN is committed to being among the first to respond whenever disaster strikes,” Halilul said.
