Story perspectives

Indonesia's Cyclone Catastrophe: 961 Dead, Millions Displaced

12/10/2025

Center

Prabowo Declares Emergency

Indonesia faces its deadliest natural disaster in more than 20 years as floods and landslides from a cyclone have killed at least 961 people and left 293 missing.
The disaster has displaced more than one million residents across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
President Prabowo Subianto has ordered infrastructure repairs and called for a national emergency declaration to facilitate aid.
Hospitals are overwhelmed amid unsanitary conditions that worsen diseases.

Right

Hafiz Coordinates Relief

Severe floods in Aceh, Indonesia have displaced thousands and caused extensive damage.
Hafiz Akbar, a Singapore-based student and head of Forum Mahasiswa Aceh di Dunia (FORMAD), coordinates relief from abroad.
Since floods began on November 25, FORMAD has raised funds and distributed essential supplies.
On December 4, FORMAD urged the United Nations to conduct an independent disaster assessment.
Indonesia has not declared a national emergency.

History

Historical Context

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, triggered by a 9.1–9.3 magnitude earthquake on December 26, devastated Indonesia, particularly Aceh, resulting in over 230,000 deaths and displacing 1.7 million people. The disaster prompted a massive international humanitarian response, revealing critical gaps in disaster preparedness. Today, Aceh's ongoing floods challenge President Prabowo Subianto, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure and emergency management in vulnerable regions.

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Prabowo Declares Emergency

Indonesia faces its deadliest natural disaster in more than 20 years as floods and landslides from a cyclone have killed at least 961 people and left 293 missing.
The disaster has displaced more than one million residents across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
President Prabowo Subianto has ordered infrastructure repairs and called for a national emergency declaration to facilitate aid.
Hospitals are overwhelmed amid unsanitary conditions that worsen diseases.

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