Severe floods, flash floods, and landslides across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have caused extensive loss of life and large-scale displacement following several days of intense rainfall in Indonesia. It was driven in large part by the rare tropical storm Cyclone Senyar – a cyclonic system that formed over the Strait of Malacca and dumped enormous volumes of rain across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The disaster has resulted in 753 fatalities, 504 people missing, and widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and public facilities. More than 60,700 households have been displaced in Aceh and North Sumatra, with additional large-scale displacement reported in West Sumatra. North Sumatra is currently the most affected, with major roads, bridges, and distribution routes severely damaged, leaving several areas unreachable by land and constraining the movement of relief supplies.
Government-led emergency operations, coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and supported by the Indonesian National Army, National Police, BASARNAS, and multiple ministries, are focused on search and rescue, restoring access, and accelerating logistics distribution by road and air. Helicopters, heavy equipment, and emergency communications systems have been deployed to support isolated communities, including areas where looting has been reported due to limited aid availability.
Response by the private sector
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia, or KADIN), the CBI Member Network in Indonesia, is delivering essential assistance, including food, clean water, health services, shelter materials, and family supplies, with daily coordination at national and provincial levels through active clusters. KADIN is mobilizing private sector donations through its open call for donations which has generated USD 18,000 to date. Based on a CBI-facilitated effort, a request by BNPB, and in coordination with KADIN, Sany Heavy Industry Indonesia has deployed nine excavators from Pekanbaru to Aceh Tengah and Bener Meriah to support road clearance and emergency operations. SANY Group is also dispatching supplies to ensure continuous 24/7 machinery operation and is coordinating additional equipment for other affected areas.
Take action
- What businesses can do: Businesses of all sizes can play a vital role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from crises. Whether by supporting logistics, providing essential goods and services, offering technical expertise, or working directly with communities, the private sector contributes to saving lives and strengthening resilience.
- How to support: KADIN continues to work with the Government and humanitarian agencies to coordinate private sector response and recovery efforts. Please reach out to Ms. Suryani Sidik Motik, yanimotik@gmail.com to coordinate your contributions.
Photo: Landslide in North Sumatra, December 2025. Credit: Mr. Syafri Nasution, Fasilitator Ketangguhan Bencana (Disaster Resilient Facilitators Forum)