SSSGC Indonesia Sets Up 20 Public Kitchens, Assisting Over 5,000 Flood Victims in Sumatra and Aceh

Sumatra, December 5, 2025 — The floods and landslides that have struck the regions of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have claimed a devastating number of lives. According to the latest reports, the death toll has reached 836 people, while an estimated 509–518 individuals remain missing, and thousands more have been injured or displaced from their homes.

Infrastructure damage is massive — thousands of homes have been destroyed, public facilities and bridges have collapsed, and key distribution routes have been cut off, making the delivery of aid and logistics extremely difficult.

In response to this humanitarian crisis, SSSGC Indonesia (Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Indonesia), through SSSGC Medan (Sai Avatar Centre) as the field executor, has taken swift and significant action by establishing 20 public kitchens across the affected areas, especially in North Sumatra. Each kitchen serves up to 200 people, providing essential meals such as rice, eggs, noodles, drinking water, vegetables, tempeh, and tofu — nutritious and practical food to help communities survive under extreme conditions.

As the situation continues to unfold, public kitchens have now also been established in Aceh, and the number of locations is increasing each day. More and more people are receiving assistance, especially in areas that were previously isolated with limited access to aid. These kitchens have become a lifeline for families who have lost their homes or are still waiting for broader support.

According to internal sources, the urgent need for food and clean water remains the top priority, as many regions are still cut off from logistical access. In addition to providing meals, the field team also supports victims on-site, ensuring distribution is carried out safely and fairly, and coordinating with local religious leaders, including the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Medan City.

In a situation where many victims remain unidentified and families mourn lost members, assistance like this is not only about survival — it is about preserving humanity, dignity, and solidarity.

SSSGC Indonesia extends its deepest gratitude to all donors, sevadals, and field volunteers who have worked tirelessly since day one. Without their support, the public kitchens — which continue to grow in number — would not be able to operate or reach thousands of people each day. The dedication of the sevadals — cooking, distributing food, moving logistics, and accompanying victims — reflects the true spirit of selfless service.

We call upon the wider community to come together and support our brothers and sisters in Sumatra and Aceh who are grieving and struggling. In times of disaster such as this, every plate of rice, every cup of clean water, is hope.