USU PR — Universitas Sumatera Utara, through USU Care together with volunteer networks and community groups, distributed logistical assistance to residents affected by flooding in Aceh Tamiang Regency on Thursday (11/12/2025). The assistance focused on strengthening the logistics warehouse and public kitchen in Bukit Rata, Kejuruan Muda Subdistrict, as well as direct distribution in the field in Sementok Village, Karang Baru Subdistrict.

The distribution activity involved the USU Care Team, RELINDO (Indonesian Volunteers for Humanity) North Sumatra, Majelis Taklim Qolbun Salim Puri Zahara 2 Medan, as well as the Bukit Rata Community Post Team, Kejuruan Muda Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang Regency. Together, they distributed assistance to evacuation posts, public kitchens, and conducted direct (on-the-spot) distribution to residents along the route to the affected locations.

The logistical assistance distributed consisted of 100 sacks of rice, 30 boxes of instant noodles, 30 liters of cooking oil, 10 boxes of diapers, 10 boxes of sanitary pads, 200 towels, and 30 packages of wearable clothing. In Bukit Rata, this assistance was urgently needed to support the operation of the public kitchen located at Masjid Maghfirah. The public kitchen prepares ready-to-eat meals every day for approximately 1,000 people who are still dependent on supplies from the post.

The Head of the Evacuation Post and Public Kitchen in Bukit Rata Village, Poniman, who is also the parent of one USU student, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the assistance provided by USU Care and its partners. The assistance was considered very helpful in easing the burden of residents who remain in difficult conditions following the disaster.

The Coordinator of USU Care’s logistical aid distribution to Aceh Tamiang, Dr. Achmad Siddik Thoha, S.Hut., M.Si., explained that the residents’ needs currently extend beyond food alone.
“The assistance from USU was warmly welcomed by residents because it directly strengthened the public kitchen that cooks daily for around one thousand evacuees. However, in the field we also observed that residents still need medicines, as cases of skin irritation, fever, open wounds, coughs, and other health complaints are increasing, while mobile medical services are not yet evenly available. In addition to logistics and medicines, the posts also need support in the form of cooking equipment such as stoves, LPG gas, and generators so that public kitchen services can operate faster and better,” said Dr. Achmad Siddik.

Through collaboration among USU Care, humanitarian volunteers, majelis taklim, and local residents, the distribution of assistance in Aceh Tamiang is expected to strengthen the capacity of public kitchens and evacuation posts in meeting the basic needs of affected communities. USU Care reaffirmed its commitment to continue coordinating with various parties to ensure that the assistance provided remains well-targeted, effective, and responsive to the most urgent needs of the community.