Caritas Indonesia Opens Community Kitchens and Health Services for Sumatra Flood Survivors

Caritas Indonesia, together with its nationwide diocesan network, has mobilized humanitarian assistance for communities affected by flash floods, landslides, and extreme weather across Sumatra.

Integrated emergency responses are currently underway in the dioceses of Sibolga, Padang, and Medan, involving parishes, clergy, religious sisters, lay volunteers, local partners, and medical teams.

Response in Three Dioceses

Diocese of Sibolga
In the Diocese of Sibolga, Caritas Indonesia established a Humanitarian Service Post at St. Christopher’s House of the Sibolga Diocese in North Sibolga, serving as a coordination and response center. Three community kitchens and service posts were opened in Huta Godang (South Tapanuli), Pinangsori, and Pandan (Central Tapanuli).

Since November 26, the community kitchens have distributed an average of 300–400 meal packages per day, while earlier operations in Sibolga City provided up to 1,000 meals daily. Caritas also manages five evacuation shelters accommodating 610 families, or approximately 3,050 people, equipped with basic necessities.

Health service posts, operated in cooperation with hospitals, religious congregations, and volunteer medical personnel, provided basic medical care to 141 patients on December 6–7, 2025. Common cases included diarrhea, skin diseases, and acute respiratory infections. In addition, essential food and hygiene supplies were distributed to 1,310 families across eight affected villages.

Diocese of Padang
In the Diocese of Padang, Caritas Indonesia deployed its Core Response Team (CRT) and coordinated closely with national and local disaster management agencies. Working alongside Caritas Padang and the Catholic Women’s Association of Indonesia (WKRI), emergency assistance has reached 1,665 people.

Two community kitchens supported by Caritas provide approximately 200 meals per day, while health services in Batang Anai, Padang Pariaman, treated 193 patients. Additional support included food supplies, hygiene kits, and equipment for post-flood clean-up efforts.

Archdiocese of Medan
Meanwhile, in the Archdiocese of Medan, eight evacuation shelters are currently hosting 5,469 displaced persons from 1,274 families. Community kitchens and food distribution efforts have reached 13,219 people, alongside ongoing medical services in Humbang Hasundutan.

As a sign of inter-diocesan solidarity, Caritas Medan has also sent food, clean water, clothing, and medical supplies to support relief operations in the Diocese of Sibolga.

Caritas Indonesia Director Rev. Fredy Rante Taruk expressed gratitude for the support of donors, partners, and volunteers. “The prayers, solidarity, and concrete assistance of many have brought strength and hope to our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster,” he told RVA on December 18.

This emergency response reflects Caritas Indonesia’s enduring commitment to stand with vulnerable communities through solidarity, service, and compassion, while strengthening coordination with dioceses and local partners to support ongoing recovery efforts.