Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has expressed its deepest condolences and solidarity with communities affected by flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Triggered by extreme rainfall between 19 and 25 November 2025, the disasters caused widespread damage, cutting off road access and communications, and damaging thousands of homes and public facilities.
“UGM extends its deepest sympathies over the flood disasters that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra,” said Secretary of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu on Wednesday (Dec. 3) at the UGM campus.
As an educational institution, Dr. Tonralipu said, UGM is committed to community service and has moved swiftly to take disaster response measures. Through cross-unit coordination involving the Directorate of Community Service, the Disaster Response Unit (DERU), the Directorate of Student Affairs, the Directorate of Planning, BMS, Forkom, and GER (Gelanggang Emergency Response), various efforts have been undertaken to ensure that assistance reaches those in need.
“We have deployed a trauma healing team from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), which has already headed to the affected areas,” he said.
According to Dr. Tonralipu, the team will focus on psychosocial support. In addition, UGM, together with experts and volunteers, is coordinating with the government to assist in emergency response and post-disaster reconstruction.
Meanwhile, UGM’s Disaster Response Unit (DERU) and Directorate of Community Service are also preparing a series of response and assistance measures for members of the academic community affected by the disaster.
“We have conducted coordination, and for now our initial focus is on distributing assistance to members of the UGM academic community whose families have been affected in the disaster areas,” said DERU Coordinator Ardian Andi Pradana.
He explained that unstable conditions in the affected areas may make it difficult for some students to receive financial support from their families. Therefore, UGM is seeking to provide temporary assistance so that students can continue their daily activities and remain focused on their studies.
“Essentially, we want to support fellow students whose families have been affected by the disaster and help strengthen them,” Dr. Tonralipu explained.
Dr. Tonralipu also noted that assistance for students began with an assessment of affected students conducted jointly with the Directorate of Student Affairs.
General data on students originating from disaster-affected regions have been received from the Directorate of Student Affairs, and Forkom, GER, and faculty student executive boards (BEM) are currently carrying out detailed data collection to identify each student’s needs.
“Regarding volunteers, for now, we are focusing on the student data collection process here. Once the assessment is complete, assistance will be distributed according to the needs of affected students,” he said.
He added that the types of assistance to be provided are still pending the assessment results, but will be aligned with students’ actual needs. Both logistical aid and financial support are being considered.
In addition, GER and Forkom will collaborate with the national postal service to facilitate the delivery of aid to affected areas. Dr. Tonralipu also stated that members of the public who wish to contribute are welcome to donate goods or funds.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Salma
Photograph: Antara