Aceh Children Receive Trauma Healing After Devastating Floods

RRI.CO.ID, Aceh Tengah - Three months after devastating floods swept through Sumatra, children in Central Aceh Regency, Aceh, are finally receiving specialized psychological support initiative.

The program, a collaboration between the Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ministry and Universitas Teuku Umar (UTU), has been instrumental in addressing the lingering trauma of 90 children and toddlers in Toweren Hamlet, Lut Tawar Subdistrict.

These young survivors, who were displaced during the natural disasters between November 25 and 30, have recently begun returning to their family homes after spending months in emergency shelters.

The intervention focuses on a "disaster school" model that has been operational for the past quarter. By blending education with emotional support, the project aims to replace the memory of the floods with a sense of security and normalcy.

"We are conducting trauma healing for the children, creating games and various activities. They are carrying out a social service process which is then expected to help these children fare better," explained Irsadi Aristora, a lecturer at Universitas Teuku Umar, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Head of the Disaster Response Impact Student Activity Unit Program at Teuku Umar University, Rahmat Hayatun Nupus explained that the condition of the affected children has now improved. The students' commitment to this cause extends beyond this single location, reflecting a broader mission of humanitarian service within the university community.

"Indeed, it has become a habit and a hobby of ours to help communities and children affected by disasters. Besides here, we have actually gone to several regions to provide care for children who have experienced the impacts of disasters," remarked Hayatun, as quoted by Antara. ***