In a meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday, Basarnas Head Mohammad Syafii said the extensive deployment followed an evaluation on the fourth day of the emergency response, which showed that land routes could not be restored quickly, forcing most aid distribution and evacuations to rely on air operations.
Basarnas has deployed more than 6,000 SAR personnel for disaster response operations in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, which have been affected by hydrometeorological disasters since November 25, 2025.
"Given the vast area covered, our personnel numbers are very insufficient. Therefore, in addition to Basarnas personnel reinforced by SAR offices from various regions, we also involve potential SAR personnel, as well as support from the military, the National Police, and volunteers," Syafii informed.
He explained that in Aceh Province, a total of 389 personnel were deployed, consisting of 165 Basarnas personnel and 224 potential SAR personnel. They are handling floods and landslides in areas still cut off from access, including North Aceh, Bireuen, Pidie, and the central highlands.
In North Sumatra, the deployed force was much larger, led by the Medan SAR Office, supported by 121 Basarnas personnel, and reinforced by 5,378 potential SAR personnel from various agencies.
The total SAR force reached 5,500 personnel, making it the largest operation among the three provinces, considering the extensive damage in Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, Sibolga City, Mandailing Natal, and Humbang Hasundutan.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, the Padang SAR Office deployed 128 personnel, supported by additional forces from Basarnas ships and helicopters.
This brings the total combined personnel in the SAR operation to over 150, focused on handling landslides and flash floods in Agam District, Tanah Datar, Pesisir Selatan, and other cities/districts.
Meanwhile, the deployed SAR equipment consists of three helicopters, 10 thermal drones, three ships, 61 rubber boats, 26 trucks, 29 double-axle vehicles, and 34 trail motorcycles coming from the Basarnas Headquarters in Jakarta, the SAR Offices in Aceh, Medan, Nias, Padang, Tanjung Pinang, Pekanbaru, Bengkulu, Jambi, Mentawai, and Palembang.
Syafii confirmed that this force can continue to grow, as Basarnas continues to mobilize assistance from nearby SAR offices, including additional vessels, helicopters, and supporting equipment to reach isolated areas.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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