Habitat Updates
Sibolga, December 12, 2025 – More than two weeks after flash floods and landslides struck several regions in Sumatra, tens of thousands of families are still in difficult conditions. Over 157,800 houses are damaged, and hundreds of thousands of residents are still displaced (BNPB, December 12, 2025). In many locations, residents cannot return due to unsafe environmental conditions and homes destroyed by landslide debris.
In Sibolga City, North Sumatra, the damage impact is also extensive. According to the Sibolga City BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency) report as of December 12, 2025, at least 7,276 people are displaced, while 665 houseshave sustained damage—ranging from light, moderate, to heavy. This situation has made the need for shelter, sanitation, and access to clean water increasingly urgent, especially in areas near hillsides and riverbanks.
Assessment in the Worst-Affected Locations
Since December 10, 2025, the Habitat for Humanity Indonesia team has been in Sibolga conducting a rapid assessmentto map the urgent needs of the community, especially regarding safe and decent housing. The initial data collection focused primarily on the areas with the most severe damage, namely North Sibolga District, covering the villages of Simare Mare, Angin Nauli, and Huta Tonga Tonga.
In Simare Mare Village, the team found dozens of houses destroyed by flash floods and landslides of wood and rock materials from the hill. Many families had to leave their homes without having time to save any of their belongings.
Riang (43), one of the survivors currently displaced in the Bank Indonesia building, described the moments the disaster occurred. “It was raining heavily all day, and the power was out. Around half past midnight, I heard the roar of rocks. Right then, we ran down, not able to save anything. My house was destroyed…,” she recounted.
Damage also occurred in Angin Nauli Village, where a few houses stand on the river basin area (DAS) and along the banks of the Aek Doras River. During the flash flood on November 25, 2025, mud, rock, and wood materials swept through the area and triggered waves of water from the hills down to the lowlands. Houses sustained varied damage, from light to moderate.
Deep sorrow was also felt by residents of Huta Tonga Tonga Village. A total of 71 families were affected, and 51 housessuffered heavy damage after sand material 1.5–2 meters high entered and buried the inside of their homes.
Ronald (55), one resident who chose to stay in his house, which is almost completely covered in sand, told the Habitat for Humanity Indonesia team, “I sleep on the remaining mattress that is almost touching the roof. I stay because I want to guard the house, afraid of looting. But every day the sand keeps rising… this house is almost buried.”
The stories of the survivors illustrate the immense need for home recovery assistance and environmental cleanup in Sibolga.
Habitat Indonesia Prepares Two-Year Intervention for Sibolga Recovery
Based on the assessment results and coordination on the ground, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia plans a two-year recovery intervention in Sibolga City and its surrounding areas.
In the first year, Habitat Indonesia will focus on emergency support and basic repairs for affected families, including:
- Distribution of shelter kits for 500 families
- Support for rubble removal equipment/assistance to help clear landslide debris
- Repairing 500 houses with structural strengthening (retrofitting)
- Restoration of sanitation and clean water access (WASH)
- WASH and Build Back Safer training for the community
In the second year, Habitat Indonesia will rebuild 300safe and decent homes on an area-based approach for affected families, using better resilience standards to minimize disaster risk in the future.
This effort is a form of Habitat Indonesia’s commitment to help survivors regain a safe, decent, and dignified place to live.
#Bersama, Bangun Sumatera
In these difficult times, support from various parties is highly meaningful. Habitat for Humanity Indonesia invites the public from various sectors—individuals, corporations, and partners—to participate in the recovery and rebuilding process for the lives of families affected by the disaster in Sibolga.
For Habitat Friends who wish to participate in this humanitarian mission, donations can be channeled through BCA: 210-3002-958 (Habitat Kemanusiaan Ind Yay). More complete information can be found on the flyer below.
Photo/Writer: HFHI/Kevin Herbian
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