Death toll in Sumatra disasters reaches 1,053, with over 200 missing

The impact of natural disasters across several regions in Sumatra continues to intensify, with casualties and damage rising as recovery efforts remain underway.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said that as of 17 December 2025, the death toll had climbed to 1,053, while more than 200 people were still reported missing.

BNPB also recorded around 7,000 injured, with victims suffering injuries of varying severity. Damage to infrastructure has spread widely, disrupting public services and complicating access for relief operations.

According to the agency, at least 290 government buildings and offices were damaged, along with 219 health facilities and 967 educational facilities. The disaster also destroyed or damaged 145 bridges and around 1,600 other public facilities, hampering transportation and the distribution of aid in several affected areas.

In the health sector, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said more than half of the roughly 1,000 community health centres in disaster-hit areas were directly affected. Of those, 414 centres have resumed operations, although services remain limited.

However, the Ministry of Health noted that about 50 community health centres were completely unable to operate after being swept away or sustaining severe structural damage and were declared lost.

Budi said that once hospitals in affected areas are fully functional, the government will prioritise the restoration of primary healthcare services. Over the next two weeks, authorities aim to reactivate community health centres that remain paralysed.

“These health centres are crucial for meeting the health needs of communities who remain in their homes, as well as the approximately 800,000 people currently living in evacuation shelters,” the minister said. “We need support from all parties so these services can be restored as soon as possible.”

Civil Society Coalition Urges National Disaster Status for Sumatra Floods

A coalition of 113 civil society organisations has issued a legal notice calling on President Prabowo Subianto to declare the severe floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra a national disaster.

In a statement released by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), the coalition cited the high number of casualties, widespread infrastructure damage and mounting socio-economic losses, arguing that the scale of the crisis exceeds the capacity of local governments.

YLBHI chair Muhammad Isnur warned that conditions in shelters remain highly vulnerable, particularly for women, children, older persons and people with disabilities, amid limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.

The coalition said damaged roads and disrupted communications have hampered evacuations, medical response and logistics, leaving several districts isolated and worsening the humanitarian situation.

The coalition said a national disaster declaration would enable full central government intervention, including national funding, technical assistance and integrated reconstruction planning, as well as cross-regional investigations into environmental and governance failures.

President Prabowo, however, has said the current regional emergency status remains sufficient to manage the floods and landslides, stating during a visit to Central Tapanuli on 1 December 2025 that authorities continue to monitor developments closely.