Emergency Response – Bireuen (Aceh Province, Indonesia) needs us now .

On Wednesday morning, 26 November at 5am, the life in Bireuen Regency in Aceh Province (Indonesia) changed .

After 8 days of non-stop rain, the rivers overflowed without warning and within hours entire neighbourhoods disappear under rising water. By midday, the floodwater reached 3 metres high – high enough to swallow homes, shops, schools, mosques and other buildings.

People rushed to higher ground with nothing other than the clothes they were wearing. Roads collapse. Bridges broke. Communications failed. The aftermath is immense.

Two weeks since then, the aid workers are struggling to reach the hardest-hit areas. The road between Medan and Banda Aceh (the closest cities) are blocked by mud and roads are cut off due to landslide.

For many in Bireuen, this disaster is reopening painful memories of the 2004 tsunami, the fear, the uncertainty and the sound of rushing water – it all came back.

Today, thousands of families are displaced, they have fled their homes with no belongings, no warm clothes, no clean water and sick and elderly people are now sleeping in overcrowded temporary shelters.

Right now, immediate relief is critical. The most urgently needed items are: waters, medicines, staple food packages, clothing and babies’ supplies, prayer items, sleeping mats and mattresses. Every donation – no matter the amount – provide real relieve and restores hope .

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Hello everyone, I am Indah Putri , the organiser of this fundraising and I live in Sydney, Australia.

I am organising this fundraiser on behalf of my dear friend Khilda Rusdy, who is originally from Bireuen, who also lives in Sydney.

Khilda’s family in Bireuen, one of the worst affected areas, has been directly impacted by the devastating floods, their homes have been severely damaged and like many others, they are now struggling to access clean water, foods and medicines.

Although Khilda is far from home, but her hearts remain deeply connected to her hometown. She is overwhelmed with fear, helplessness and concern – not only for her own family, but for the many families who are currently suffering. Together we are coordinating this fundraiser so we can support families in Bireuen and surrounding areas who urgently need help.

The people of Aceh (and Bireuen) has endured so much, yet its people remain strong and full of faith.

All the donation will be dedicated to people in Birueun (Khilda’s hometown), We will be working with trusted local contacts to ensure that funds are delivered directly into the hands of those affected and who have lost everything

Please help however you can, even sharing this campaign saves lives.

Thank you for standing with us. Your kindness brings hope across borders.

Sydney, 12 December 2025