Over 1,000 Dead, Aid Still Blocked: Amnesty Warns of Human Rights Risks in Sumatra Disaster

Affected residents, however, told the media they are exhausted and desperate, saying disaster response efforts in Sumatra — particularly in Aceh — have been slow and insufficient. Nearly three weeks after the floods began, many say aid has yet to meet basic needs.

Despite this, the central government has continued to insist that Indonesia does not require international assistance. During a cabinet meeting on 15 December, President Prabowo Subianto said the floods and landslides in Sumatra would not be declared a national disaster, arguing that the situation remained manageable. He also confirmed the government’s rejection of aid offers from foreign countries.

At the regional level, Medan Mayor Rico Waas returned 30 tons of rice donated by the United Arab Emirates, citing the central government’s policy of not accepting foreign assistance.

According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as of 19 December 2025 the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have killed at least 1,072 people, injured around 7,000, left 186 missing, damaged more than 147,000 homes, and displaced over 111,000 residents.(Uki)