Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Refugees affected by flooding in several areas scattered across the Indonesian province of Aceh are still lacking food supplies. "Aid has entered, but it is not sufficient," said one local resident, Hermanudin, in Gampong Ujong Pacu, Muara Satu, Kota Lhoksumawe, on Tuesday, December 3, 2025.
Hermanudin said that one resident in Ujong Pacu was allocated one instant noodle ration during the day. Meanwhile, there are about 1,000 residents living in the area. According to Hermanudin, the floodwaters engulfed almost all of the houses in Ujong Pacu after intense rainfall on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Hermanudin mentioned the water reached a height of over three meters.
Observations by Tempo on Tuesday night showed that the yards of several houses are still covered in mud. "We have taken refuge in Meunasah," said Hermanudin. Meunasah is a typical multifunctional Acehnese building used for religious and educational activities. The building stands about four meters higher than regular houses.
In Bireuen Regency, logistical assistance has also not fully reached Gampong Kuala Cerape, located on the coast of Jangka District. Muhamad Amin, a resident of Kuala Cerape, said that the assistance only arrived around Monday night, December 1, 2025.
Amin recounted that since the floods last week, he has been surviving on meager food such as instant noodles. "The village headman asked residents with surplus supplies to give them to those in greater need," he said.
Jangka District Chief, Mulyadi, said that the district covers 46 villages with a total of 975 residents. "All of them are affected," said Mulyadi in Kuala Cerepe. Mulyadi stated that the district had prepared tents for refugees since the first day. He claimed that the regent had provided eight sacks of rice to the community.
According to Mulyadi, both governmental and non-governmental aid have difficulties reaching the area due to damaged roads. Some supplies have entered isolated areas in Aceh from community organizations. For example, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI Perjuangan) Disaster Management Agency. The party sent essential goods to several points in Bireuen Regency and Lhoksumawe City.
Rice, eggs, and medicines were delivered directly by the Chairperson of the PDI Perjuangan's Disaster Management Agency, Tri Rismaharini, from Jakarta. Risma stated that this action was carried out on the direct instruction of Megawati Soekarnoputri. "For the sake of humanity, we are always ready," she said.
The National Disaster Management Agency noted that as of Monday afternoon, December 1, 2025, 156 people had died and 181 were still missing due to the floods in Aceh. The victims were scattered in Bener Meriah, Central Aceh, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, Southeast Aceh, North Aceh, East Aceh, Lhokseumawe, Gayo Lues, Subulussalam, and Nagan Raya.
The increase in the number of missing persons was prompted by additional reports from the public. The number of refugees reached 479,300 people in various regencies/cities, with the highest concentration in North Aceh Regency at 107,305 people.