The Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck, and the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) are providing a total of €70,000 in emergency aid for victims of flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra (Indonesia). The funds will be used to support six evacuation centers on site, which are being coordinated jointly by the affected local member churches of the UEM.
Heavy rainfall on November 25 and 26, 2025, caused severe flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra. The regions of Tapanuli Raya with Sibolga, Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, and the Nias Islands were particularly affected. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana, BNPB), at least 604 people were killed, hundreds were injured, and many are still missing. Thousands of families had to leave their homes. Tropical storms 95B and KOTO at the end of November brought further rainfall and strong winds to the region. Due to extensive deforestation by local industrial companies, the soil in many places can no longer absorb large amounts of water – the consequences are destroyed residential areas, blocked roads, power outages, and damaged communication networks. In some areas, help is currently only possible by air. Thirteen districts and cities have now been declared disaster areas. The military and police are on constant duty, and persistent rainfall is expected to further exacerbate the situation.
Churches in North Sumatra join forces
The member churches of the UEM – including the Christian Protestant Church on Nias (BNKP), the Christian Protestant Church of Karo-Batak (GBKP), the Christian Protestant Church of Angkolan (GKPA), the Christian Protestant Church of PakPak Dairi (GKPPD), the Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia (GKPI), the Christian Protestant Church of Simalungun (GKPS), the Christian Protestant Church of the 2 / 2 Batak (HKBP), and the Christian Church in Indonesia (HKI) have set up joint coordination centers in several affected districts.
These centers serve as information and communication hubs and coordinate humanitarian aid in cooperation with authorities and other aid organizations. Evacuations, the establishment of emergency shelters, the distribution of meals, and local fundraising efforts are already underway.
What is needed now
To support the affected communities, the churches in North Sumatra are planning to provide:
- Food parcels and clean drinking water for displaced families
- Repair kits for damaged shelters and tents for people who have lost their homes
- Medical and psychosocial assistance for traumatized children and adults
The situation remains tense. Additional resources are urgently needed to maintain relief efforts and support reconstruction.
Donations and prayers requested
The UEM asks for your support for the concerted relief efforts of its member churches on the ground through donations and prayers.
Donate online here Bank transfer:
UEM Asia Region:
- Bank BNI - account# 0128002447 - Swift code: BNINIDJAMDN
UEM Africa Region:
- CRDB BANK PLC - branch: 3319 - account# 1950299692300 - Swift code: CORUTZTZ
UEM German Region:
- IBAN: DE45 3506 0190 0009 0909 08
- SWIFT/BIC: GENODED1DKD
- Reference: Emergency aid North Sumatra
Online Donation German Region here!
spenden@vemission.org
0202-89004-195