The devastating floods and mudslides caused by Cyclone Ditwa have brought immense loss and hardship to communities in Indonesia’s Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra districts.
The disaster has claimed hundreds of lives, displaced more than 1.1 million people, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Power and internet outages as well as blocked roads have cut off thousands of affected residents from accessing much-needed services and care.
Corus International is responding with urgency and compassion on the ground in Indonesia. Corus organizations Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health have been working in Indonesia for more than 20 years, following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Our teams are leveraging a trusted network of five local partner organizations, including three faith-based Christian networks, to reach deeply affected and remote communities.
Working in close partnership with local authorities, Corus International has secured authorization from Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs to expand its operational scope as needs grow. Our collaborative approach ensures that assistance is delivered efficiently, and that resources align with the most urgent priorities.
Immediate response
The initial humanitarian response in the hardest-hit areas, especially Humbahas in North Sumatra, focuses on:
- Life-saving health interventions, including maternal and child health services and mobile clinics to extend outreach.
- Disease outbreak prevention for the most vulnerable families.
- Distribution of essential non-food items (NFIs) to families who have lost everything.
As the situation develops and additional resources become available, our teams are prepared to expand our response to include:
- Emergency food distributions, including supplementary feeding for mothers and children under five.
- Psychosocial support for communities coping with trauma.
- Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives to protect health and dignity.
Supporting coffee and cocoa producers
Corus International’s ongoing work in Indonesia extends to the critical restoration of livelihoods, particularly among coffee and cocoa producers who are enduring severe losses. As we stand with these producer communities — whose efforts supply global markets — we remain committed to supporting both immediate recovery and long-term resilience in the face of mounting food security concerns.
This collective response would not be possible without the dedication of our Corus International family, the unwavering support of our partners and the commitment of local organizations. We are deeply grateful for your solidarity as we bring hope and healing to Indonesia’s most vulnerable communities.