By: Alexander Royce)*
The flood and landslide crisis that struck the island of Sumatra at the end of 2025 has become one of the greatest challenges faced by the Indonesian nation in recent years. Extreme rainfall that continuously battered Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra triggered waves of disasters that not only damaged infrastructure and residential areas, but also had widespread impacts on socio-economic conditions and public health. The loss of lives, thousands of damaged homes, and nearly one million displaced people illustrate the magnitude of this challenge. Yet amid the storm of hardship, boundary-free solidarity between the government and elements of society has emerged, demonstrating the strength of Indonesia’s spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong).
The Government of Indonesia, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, responded swiftly and decisively to address the impacts of the disaster. The national response strategy encompassed the restoration of basic services, economic recovery, and the accelerated reopening of vital infrastructure that had been cut off due to flash floods. The deployment of trained personnel from government institutions and strong cross-ministerial coordination reflected the government’s firm commitment to restoring the lives of affected communities.
In the context of post-flood health response, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that gotong royongserves as a key social capital in accelerating recovery. He stated that President Prabowo’s directive called for rapid humanitarian assistance and close coordination between the central government, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), and community elements. According to the Minister, although as many as 87 hospitals were affected and several community health centers temporarily ceased operations, collaboration among health teams from various sectors succeeded in restoring all hospitals to full functionality within approximately two weeks after the floods. He also described logistical challenges in remote areas that could only be reached by boat or specialized vehicles, as well as efforts to rotate thousands of health volunteers to ensure basic services continued in evacuation centers and hard-to-access regions. The contribution of PMI was also highly appreciated for its role in effectively distributing humanitarian aid in affected locations.
This collaborative atmosphere was further reflected in the involvement of political parties and civil society organizations. President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Almuzzammil Yusuf, stated that the volunteers dispatched to Sumatra were not general volunteers, but individuals with specific expertise urgently needed on the ground. These volunteers included mechanics to repair vehicles and equipment, medical personnel, construction experts, and psychologists providing trauma healing support for victims. In his speech when sending off the volunteers, Almuzzammil emphasized that the spirit of the new year should be filled with tangible service to brothers and sisters affected by disaster, rather than mere celebration. He also highlighted PKS volunteers’ contributions in providing solar-powered electricity and drilling clean water wells as solutions to urgent needs in several affected areas. This collaboration demonstrated that recovery efforts were not merely reactive, but planned and sustainable, with a focus on community needs.
Contributions from volunteers across various provinces—whether deployed by political parties, humanitarian organizations, universities, or professional associations—further strengthened the national response. Thousands of volunteers from diverse backgrounds worked side by side clearing debris, distributing logistical aid, and managing health service posts and public kitchens in evacuation centers. The academic community also played a role, with higher education institutions sending psychosocial support teams and logistical assistance, showing that humanitarian action transcends sectoral boundaries.
Moreover, support for socio-economic recovery was also evident. Through various ministries, the government launched recovery programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in affected areas, targeting recovery within one year, including financial support and loan restructuring for impacted businesses. This demonstrated that the response was not solely focused on short-term rescue, but also on comprehensively rebuilding community livelihoods.
Cross-sector cooperation has created a momentum of collective revival. National solidarity was reflected in the delivery of aid from distant regions such as Java, Bali, and Kalimantan, underscoring that Indonesian solidarity transcends geographical boundaries. Collaboration between the public sector and society proved that Indonesia possesses strong social capital when facing major trials. At the same time, the government emphasized that these efforts represent a tangible expression of the national principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—unity in diversity—where differences do not hinder a shared determination to ease the burden of fellow citizens in Sumatra.
As time progresses, the focus is no longer solely on emergency response, but also on rebuilding community life in a sustainable manner. The government continues to strengthen coordination with international and local organizations, expand access to basic services in remote communities, and encourage community participation in the reconstruction phase. All of these efforts aim to ensure that Sumatra not only recovers from the impacts of floods and landslides, but also rises stronger and more resilient in the face of future challenges.
With the active and synergistic role of the government alongside volunteers and all elements of society, Indonesia has demonstrated that solidarity and strong leadership can deliver real solutions amid crisis. This togetherness reflects the nation’s noble values and serves as concrete proof that collaboration between the government and volunteers is crucial in strengthening disaster response. With the enduring spirit of gotong royong, there is optimism that Sumatra’s recovery will proceed swiftly and with quality, creating new hope for affected communities.
) The author is a Social Observer.