The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, has urged Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) to assist communities affected by disasters in North Sumatra, Aceh, and surrounding areas.
“UMSU has shown a strong commitment to helping disaster victims,” he said, accompanied by Didik Suhardi, Expert Staff to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Chair of the Primary and Secondary Education Council of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah (PP Muhammadiyah), as well as UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.A.P., during visits to several evacuation sites for flash flood victims in North Sumatra and Aceh on Tuesday (December 9).
According to the Minister, UMSU has the capacity, resources, and potential funding to provide assistance and support the recovery of educational activities in disaster-affected areas. While greeting the Rector, who accompanied him throughout the visits, he said, “This is the Rector, and I am confident that UMSU can help.”
The visit began with an inspection of State Elementary School (SDN) 057239 Sekoci Besitang, Langkat Regency, where the Minister provided assistance and encouragement to students who were forced to study in temporary tents. The school buildings were severely damaged, with some classrooms having their walls torn apart by floodwaters.
After interacting with students and holding discussions with the Deputy Regent of Langkat, Tiorita Br. Surbakti, as well as teachers and students, the Minister—accompanied by the UMSU Rector—continued his inspection to Aceh Tamiang. Along the route, widespread devastation was visible: many houses were badly damaged, and thick mud and standing water remained inside residents’ homes.
Evacuation tents and temporary shelters were still crowded, as many homes remained uninhabitable. Along the way, the Minister also observed fuel tanker trucks overturned and stacked atop one another.
The floods in Aceh Tamiang caused extensive damage to homes and public facilities, including schools. During the visit, Minister Abdul Mu’ti inspected the disaster response command post at the Aceh Tamiang Regent’s Office pavilion.
He took time to dialogue with post coordinators regarding conditions and disaster response efforts. He also encouraged children affected by the floods—many of whom had not attended school for nearly a week—to remain motivated and keep their spirits up.
On that occasion, the Minister emphasized that restoring educational services in areas affected by floods and landslides is a top priority to ensure that learning activities can return to normal. Schools that suffered severe damage will be recorded and repaired promptly. Meanwhile, students who are scheduled to take semester examinations will not be forced to participate, given the emergency situation. The priority, he stressed, is for children to remain motivated and eager to learn.
In addition to visiting the disaster response post, the Minister also inspected several schools in Aceh Tamiang, including Muhammadiyah Junior High School (SMP Muhammadiyah) Kuala Simpang, where he donated IDR 25 million. On this occasion, he once again delivered a special message to the UMSU Rector to help support the recovery of school activities.
Responding to the Minister’s request, UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.A.P. expressed his willingness to assist in the recovery of educational activities as part of the university’s commitment to actively participate in disaster response efforts.
He explained that since the onset of disasters in several areas of North Sumatra and Aceh, UMSU has taken various measures to assist affected communities. In line with the Minister’s visit, UMSU also delivered aid packages containing ready-to-eat food and basic necessities to the Sriwijaya Village and Bukit Tempurung disaster response posts in Aceh Tamiang Regency.
“It is UMSU’s commitment to participate in disaster response efforts. Specifically in the education sector, the university will coordinate on how it can be involved in restoring educational activities at schools affected by disasters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Junaidi, S.IP, Chair of the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership (PDM) of Aceh Tamiang, expressed his gratitude to UMSU for delivering aid packages to disaster-affected residents in Sriwijaya Village and Bukit Tempurung, areas that are difficult to access.
“I deliberately sought out the Rector, whom I heard was accompanying the Minister, to convey my gratitude on behalf of residents who have received UMSU’s aid packages,” he said.
The delivery of UMSU aid packages to Sriwijaya Village and Bukit Tempurung was carried out directly by Vice Rector II Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd. and Vice Rector III Dr. Rudianto, M.Si. The shipment of two trucks of aid—consisting of ready-to-eat food and basic necessities—was officially dispatched from the campus by Vice Rector I Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, S.H., M.Hum.
