Enviro News Asia, Aceh — Humanitarian assistance for communities affected by floods and landslides was delivered to Babo Village, Bandar Pusaka Sub-district, Aceh Tamiang Regency, on Saturday (20 December 2025), as part of the Forestry Sector Disaster Response Program initiated to address hydrometeorological disasters across Sumatra.
The relief operation aims to ease the burden on affected residents while strengthening cross-stakeholder coordination in disaster response and early recovery efforts.
The aid distribution was carried out by the Forum Komunikasi Masyarakat Perhutanan Indonesia (FKMPI), a collaborative platform comprising forestry-related associations, including the Asosiasi Pengusaha Hutan Indonesia (APHI), APKI, APKINDO, ISWA, ASMINDO, ILWA, and HIMKI. The assistance was formally handed over by the Chairman of APHI to Muhammad Yunus, a member of the Aceh Tamiang Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
The handover was accompanied by APHI Secretary General Purwadi Soeprihanto, Deputy Head of the Public Relations and Cooperation Committee Trisia Megawati, and First Vice Chair of the Aceh and North Sumatra Regional Commission (KOMDA) Mawardi Nasution, along with KOMDA officials from both provinces.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
The Disaster Response Program was implemented in collaboration with forestry student organizations, including Sylva Indonesia, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), and the International Forestry Student Association Indonesia (IFSA Indonesia). Student representatives from these organizations were deployed as field volunteers to support aid distribution and accelerate delivery to affected households.
Assistance provided to residents of Babo Village included a 3,000-watt generator to support emergency electricity needs, food packages, blankets, carpets, and women-specific supplies. All items were prepared based on coordination with local stakeholders and assessments of urgent post-flood needs, particularly for vulnerable groups. Prior to this activity, APHI members had also contributed food aid and deployed heavy equipment to support disaster response efforts.
Commitment to Social Responsibility
Representing FKMPI, APHI Chairman Soewarso emphasized that the humanitarian action reflects the forestry sector’s social responsibility.
“The floods affecting the people of Aceh Tamiang are a call for us to be present and provide direct assistance. This support is not merely logistical aid, but an expression of empathy and solidarity,” he stated.
He further stressed that social concern is integral to sustainable forest management.
“Sustainability is not only measured through environmental and economic aspects, but also by how the sector delivers tangible benefits to communities, especially during times of crisis,” Soewarso added.
Local Government Appreciation
Muhammad Yunus expressed appreciation for the initiative undertaken by FKMPI and APHI, describing it as a meaningful demonstration of concern for affected communities.
“Floods and landslides have had severe social and economic impacts on Babo Village. Once a local economic center, the village has been almost entirely devastated. Assistance tailored to actual field needs is crucial for community recovery,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in disaster management.
“Disaster response cannot rely solely on government efforts. Collaboration with communities and associations such as this must continue to be strengthened as part of national solidarity,” he added.
Meanwhile, KOMDA First Vice Chair Mawardi Nasution highlighted the active role of regional administrators in ensuring effective and accountable aid distribution.
“We work closely with FKMPI and the APHI Central Executive Board to oversee the distribution process from the outset, ensuring that assistance reaches those who truly need it, while maintaining order and transparency,” he explained.
Student Support and Ongoing Program
Representing forestry students, Adil Hakim Ritonga of Sylva Indonesia and Muhammad Pasha of IFSA Indonesia voiced strong support for the disaster response initiative.
“This program reinforces unity among forestry stakeholders in responding to flood disasters in Sumatra,” Pasha noted.
The aid distribution in Babo Village forms part of the broader Forestry Sector Disaster Response Program, which is being implemented in stages across flood- and landslide-affected areas in Aceh and North Sumatra. The program supports both emergency response and early recovery phases through the provision of basic logistics, emergency power supply, and strengthened coordination with local stakeholders.
Through this initiative, FKMPI reaffirms the forestry sector’s commitment to remaining engaged beyond the emergency phase and contributing to long-term social recovery and resilience-building for affected communities. (*)
