December 1, 2025 | 06:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency says it is providing support to tens of thousands of people displaced by severe floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, also known as MBG kitchens, which provide meals through the Free Nutritious Meal program, have become a key source of aid for affected communities.
According to Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency, a total of 286 MBG kithcens are currently active in the disaster zones, providing meals to approximately 600,000 refugees. Aceh hosts 55 units, North Sumatra 173, and West Sumatra 66.
“These kitchens were fully operational from the first day of the disaster, immediately delivering assistance where it was most needed,” Dadan said during a national leadership meeting of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Central Jakarta on December 1, 2025.
He added that the kitchens were well-prepared due to existing infrastructure, trained staff, and established food supply chains, making them the most ready emergency response units when the floods struck.
“That is why, when the disaster struck, all 286 kitchens were ready to serve refugees immediately,” Dadan said.
The floods and landslides have left Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra struggling to recover. Casualty numbers continue to rise.
According to Lieutenant General Suharyanto, Head of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), North Sumatra is the hardest-hit province.
“Compared to West Sumatra and Aceh, which have started showing signs of recovery by the third day, North Sumatra remains severely affected, especially since rainfall has ceased,” he said during a virtual press conference on November 30, 2025.
BNPB has recorded 442 deaths across the three provinces, with 402 people still missing.
Dede Leni contributed to the writing of this article.
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