Caritas Indonesia (KWI) has expanded its humanitarian response by deploying psychologists, doctors, and additional volunteers to assist survivors of flash floods, landslides, and extreme weather.
Health service posts have been established in Sibolga, North Sumatra, and Padang, West Sumatra, in coordination with partner hospitals, religious congregations, and volunteer medical teams.
“We have treated 141 patients suffering from diarrhea, skin infections, and acute respiratory infections (ARI) in Sibolga,” Caritas Indonesia chief Father Fredy Rante Taruk said on Dec. 11.
In Padang, Caritas is working with Yos Sudarso Hospital, where six doctors treated 193 patients in Batang Anai, Padang Pariaman.
Caritas Indonesia is implementing its response through diocesan Caritas teams in Sibolga, Padang, and Medan, involving parishes, religious communities, and local partners.
In Sibolga, a central humanitarian post has been set up at Kristoforus House, which serves as the main coordination hub.
Three service posts are currently providing health checkups and operating public kitchens, distributing between 300 and 400 meals daily since Nov. 26. An earlier public kitchen in Sibolga served up to 1,000 meals per day.
Caritas is also managing five evacuation shelters hosting 610 households, or about 3,050 people. The shelters are equipped with mats, tarpaulins, blankets, and food supplies.
Basic needs packages have been distributed to 1,310 households across eight affected areas.
In Padang, a Core Response Team (CRT) has been deployed to coordinate with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and its regional office (BPBD), parishes, and WKRI, the Indonesian Catholic Women’s Association.
Assistance in Padang has reached 1,665 people from 293 households. Two public kitchens operated by St. Francis of Assisi Parish provide about 200 meals per day each.
Caritas has also distributed food supplies, hygiene kits, cleaning tools, and 293 health equipment packages.
In the Archdiocese of Medan, eight evacuation shelters are housing 5,469 people from 1,274 households.
Public kitchens and food distributions have reached 13,219 people, while health services in Huta Gurgur have assisted 68 survivors.
Caritas Medan has also sent 2.5 tons of rice, food items, and medicines to Sibolga as part of its solidarity response.
To strengthen field operations, Caritas Indonesia is deploying 10 additional CRT members. Father Fredy expressed gratitude for the support received, saying, “May this spirit strengthen our brothers and sisters who are affected.”
Caritas Indonesia said it will continue coordinating with dioceses and partners to accompany affected communities and ensure assistance reaches more survivors.
