KBRN, North Tapanuli: Residents displaced by flash floods and landslides in Sibalanga Village, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatram are urgently calling for baby supplies, particularly formula milk and diapers.

“Food supplies are sufficient, but we urgently require formula milk and diapers,” said Morinis Silalahi, a local resident, on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Two main evacuation shelters have been established in the village: a church and the village hall. The church is housing residents from Hamlet I, Sibanga Jae, the area most severely affected by the disaster, where homes were destroyed and lives were lost. The village hall is accommodating residents from Hamlet II, Sibalangan Julu, and Hamlet III, Aek Hatoguan.

Families at the village hall shelter are those whose homes remain intact but who evacuated out of fear of potential landslides, as their settlements are located near steep hillsides.

In addition to these shelters, residents have erected independent tents, while larger tents have been provided by the Social Affairs Ministry and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Morinis voiced concern that the current evacuation environment is unsuitable for infants and toddlers, urging that conditions be improved to make shelters more child-friendly. “The conditions are inadequate because there are many mosquitoes. We hope the area will be cleaned so the mosquitoes are eliminated,” she said.

Village official Jon Neydine Panggabean confirmed that aid continues to arrive and that residents’ basic needs are being met. He noted that the public kitchen is fully operational, preparing 300 meal portions per serving for evacuees at the church shelter. “The public kitchen is running well, and the food stock remains secure. For example, at the church shelter, 300 portions are prepared per mealtime,” he explained.

Sibalanga Village is home to 840 residents, or 144 families. The government has announced plans to relocate those whose homes were destroyed and who live near riverbanks to temporary housing facilities. (Annaila Azzahra/Lasti Martina)