MEDAN: The Student Corps for Nature Lovers and Environmental Studies (Korps Mahasiswa Pecinta Alam dan Studi Lingkungan Hidup/KOMPAS USU) has become one of the student groups that responded swiftly to the flooding disaster that struck several areas in North Sumatra and Aceh. Over several days of emergency response activities, the mobilization of the KOMPAS USU Rapid Response Team (Tim Reaksi Cepat/TRC) ran smoothly, supported by transportation assistance from Universitas Sumatera Utara as well as extraordinary members (alumni) of KOMPAS USU.

Floodwaters that began rising on Thursday (12/4/2025) at around 06:00 WIB and caused several houses to become isolated prompted the TRC KOMPAS USU to immediately coordinate with BASARNAS Medan City to assist in the evacuation of affected residents. The response began with assisting communities in the Jalan Luku area, Medan Johor Subdistrict, Medan City, and along Jalan Dr. T. Mansyur, Medan, which were heavily flooded and inaccessible to vehicles. The TRC KOMPAS USU also helped transport several patients using inflatable boats to locations still reachable by ambulances, namely the campus intersection area.

On the second day, Friday (11/28) through Tuesday (12/2), as water levels began to recede in several areas, the TRC KOMPAS USU assisted in the distribution of logistical aid in the form of food and medicines to residents, including those in Jalan Karya, Brayan, Helvetia, and Marelan. Meanwhile, evacuation efforts continued in areas that remained flooded, such as Hinai Subdistrict, Tanjung Pura, Besitang, and Aceh Tamiang.

The most recent activity of KOMPAS USU involved deploying a five-member team on Thursday (12/4) to assist with evacuation efforts and distribute additional logistical aid to flood-affected residents in Aceh Tamiang. USU provided full support for this humanitarian action as a manifestation of the university’s commitment to assisting disaster-affected communities.

At present, KOMPAS USU has only one inflatable boat, which has limited the ability to carry out evacuations simultaneously at multiple flood-affected locations.

“The limitation of equipment, especially boats, is indeed a challenge for us, because in certain conditions evacuation speed is crucial for residents’ safety. However, we continue to optimize what we have while strengthening coordination with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), BASARNAS, and other volunteers,” explained Raja Kuat Subbhari, Chairperson of KOMPAS USU.

He conveyed that the swift actions taken by KOMPAS USU members and student volunteers deserve appreciation, considering that they are operating amid their academic responsibilities. “Fortunately, there are still many students willing to prioritize humanitarian missions over personal interests. This shows that the value of solidarity remains strong within the campus environment,” he added.

Going forward, Raja Kuat hopes that the organization’s disaster response capacity can be further strengthened. In addition to improving the quality and quantity of equipment such as boats and search-and-rescue gear, he also encourages broader collaboration among USU, local governments, NGOs, and other student volunteer communities.

“KOMPAS USU cannot operate alone. Humanitarian work is collective work. We hope for stronger synergy so that mitigation and emergency response efforts in North Sumatra and Aceh can be carried out more quickly, safely, and effectively,” he concluded.

Pramuka USU Mobilized Since the First Day of the Disaster

Pramuka Universitas Sumatera Utara has also been one of the student teams directly involved in assisting communities affected by the flooding disaster since the very first day. The Pramuka USU Disaster Response Team actively participated in evacuating flood victims and providing logistical assistance in the form of food, medicines, and other basic necessities.

In Eka Rukun, where floodwater reached the rooftops of houses, valuable and essential belongings could not be saved. Pramuka USU took part in the evacuation of 49 households, or approximately 250 affected residents, in Eka Rukun. Meanwhile, in Eka Wali, Pramuka USU distributed various forms of aid, including baby supplies and first-aid medicines.

On Saturday (11/29), Pramuka USU carried out trauma-healing activities for affected children along Jalan Selambo, Medan Amplas, through various simple games and the distribution of snacks. The assistance was collected through donation drives initiated by Pramuka USU involving the USU academic community, alumni, and members of the public who wished to contribute.

Pramuka USU has also been involved in the distribution of aid to Medan Marelan and in disaster response post activities of the North Sumatra Scout Council (Kwarda Sumut). Amid conditions that have not yet fully stabilized, Pramuka USU continues to remain prepared and on standby to ensure that all layers of disaster-affected communities receive assistance and that their safety is maintained.