On the first day of operations, 200 food aid packages were distributed to residents affected by flooding in Sidodadi Hamlet, Sekoci Village, Besitang District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, on Saturday (December 13).
The assistance was delivered by the UMSU Disaster Emergency Response Team for the Langkat Region, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), as a rapid response to the flooding that struck the area.
The distribution was led by Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UMSU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Yurisna Tanjung, M.A.P., together with Head of the Langkat Regional Disaster Emergency Movement Team, dr. Eka Febriyanti, M.Gizi, and was accompanied by local hamlet officials. In addition to food packages, the team also distributed water tanks and clean drinking water at several residential points, as local clean water sources had been damaged by the flood.
The flooding in Sidodadi Hamlet left deep scars on the community. What began as slowly rising water in the morning soon turned into a real threat, stripping residents of their sense of security and forcing them to endure moments of uncertainty between life and death.
For Deli (43), the flood was the most frightening experience of his life. He recalled that water began entering his home at around 7:00 a.m. Initially, it was thought to be a routine flood. However, the water continued to rise until it reached an adult’s chest.
“We panicked. There was no time to save anything. I could only think about how to save my family,” he said.
In the emergency, Deli was forced to evacuate his family onto the roof of their house. He and his family were stranded on the rooftop for nearly 24 hours before finally being evacuated by village officials using a small boat. From the roof, he witnessed terrifying scenes—neighbors swept away by strong currents and caught on trees and electricity poles. As a result of the flood, Deli and several other residents were unable to eat for two days.
A similar experience was shared by Rindi (20). She tried to reach higher ground, but the strong current dragged her body until she became trapped in a tree.
“At that moment I was very afraid, but I believed that Allah was still protecting me,” she said softly.
Vice Dean III of FISIP UMSU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Yurisna Tanjung, M.A.P., stated that the presence of the UMSU team in Langkat was not only to deliver physical assistance, but also to bring hope and empathy to the affected community.
“This action reflects UMSU’s concern and social responsibility as a higher education institution, as well as the tangible implementation of Kemendiktisaintek’s program to ensure campuses have a direct impact on society,” she explained.
Meanwhile, dr. Eka Febriyanti, M.Gizi, emphasized that assistance would continue to be adjusted to on-site needs, particularly in the areas of health services, clean water, and community recovery.
Through the collaboration between UMSU and Kemendiktisaintek, humanitarian aid is present not only as an emergency response, but also as a source of renewed hope—reminding communities that they are not alone in facing disaster. Amid the floods that have left trauma behind, compassion becomes a bridge toward recovery and the rebuilding of life for the people of Langkat.
