UNDIP, Semarang (December 12, 2025) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) expresses its concern and sense of responsibility toward our brothers and sisters affected by the disaster in the Sumatra region. This tragedy has not only caused physical damage and loss of life. Still, it has affected the community’s social, economic, and educational aspects, including UNDIP students residing in the affected areas.
In response to the disaster in Sumatra and in line with the institution’s responsibility to its academic community, UNDIP has taken several measures to ease the burden on victims. The following efforts have been undertaken:
First, to support emergency response and recovery efforts at the disaster sites, UNDIP has deployed two volunteer teams from the Diponegoro Disaster Assistance Response Team (D-DART). The first team departed on December 2, 2025, and the second on December 10, 2025, both to West Sumatra. D-DART includes experts in post-disaster management from the health and psychosocial support clusters, as well as from the logistics cluster. During the deployment of the second team, D-DART UNDIP collaborated with the UNDIP Medical Alumni Association (IKA Medica) and with volunteers from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, who were assigned in Aceh. The involvement of UNDIP alumni from various cohorts, consisting of professional physicians, strengthened the provision of limited emergency surgical services and general medical care. In addition to IKA Medica, UNDIP continues to coordinate with the UNDIP Alumni Association at the disaster sites, whose members are also actively volunteering in three affected locations.
At the disaster sites, UNDIP volunteer teams (D-DART and IKA Medica) focused on several key activities, including:
(a) Health service support, comprising basic healthcare services, post-disaster medical treatment, and health condition monitoring of victims;
(b) Psychosocial support for vulnerable groups, particularly children and older people, to help them cope with emotional distress and trauma;
(c) Post-disaster nutritional support, through assistance in meeting dietary needs at evacuation centers for families and children.
Second, UNDIP is currently preparing to deploy a Ready-to-Drink Water Desalination Technology to the disaster areas to ensure the availability of clean water for affected communities and volunteers in evacuation zones. On Monday, December 15, 2025, one of three planned drinking water desalination units is scheduled to be delivered to the disaster site by land.
Third, for UNDIP students whose families have been affected by the floods in Sumatra, UNDIP is providing an assistance mechanism that includes tuition fee (UKT) exemptions, living allowances, learning facilities, and other forms of support. Currently, 95 students (undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels) from various faculties and schools at UNDIP have been recorded as eligible for assistance. This number may increase as the data collection process continues.
Fourth, UNDIP continues to conduct fundraising efforts among its academic community and the public, with funds to be directly distributed to affected areas. UNDIP’s fundraising activities are coordinated by D-DART and the UNDIP Student Executive Board (BEM UNDIP) to accelerate aid distribution to those in need.
Through these efforts, UNDIP hopes to alleviate the burden of the people of Sumatra and accelerate the restoration of their livelihoods. The sorrow of Sumatra is the sorrow of the nation. Our brothers and sisters in Sumatra must not be left to feel alone. UNDIP, Noble and Valuable.
Widya Puraya Building, UNDIP Tembalang Campus, December 12, 2025
The press release on UNDIP Cares for the Flood Disaster in Sumatra can be downloaded here.