Helping a Rural Community in West Sumatra Recover from Cyclone Senyar
On 26 November 2025, Cyclone Senyar triggered prolonged extreme rainfall across parts of Sumatra, Indonesia. The resulting flash floods, landslides, and river overflows destroyed homes, schools, farmland, community facilities, and critical infrastructure across the region.
According to Indonesia’s national disaster management agency, the disaster claimed more than 1,200 lives, left many people missing, displaced over 100,000 residents, and caused massive damage to homes and public infrastructure. Recovery needs across the affected region are estimated to exceed IDR 74 trillion.
Among the communities affected was Salareh Aia Village, a rural farming community in Palembayan District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra.
While the emergency phase has passed, the village continues to face significant recovery challenges.
A Village Struggling to Rebuild
- 243 households were affected.
- 158 homes were swept away by floodwaters.
- 33 households lost homes due to severe damage.
- 52 homes sustained partial damage.
- 165 hectares of rice fields were buried and destroyed.
- 7 schools suffered severe damage.
- 1 mosque was severely damaged.
For a village whose economy depends largely on agriculture, these losses have affected nearly every aspect of daily life. Families have lost homes, farmland, income sources, educational facilities, and essential community services.
Recovery requires more than rebuilding physical structures. It requires restoring the foundations that allow a community to thrive again.
A Shared Responsibility Across Borders
For the Minangkabau community, the spirit of “sakik samo mangaduh, luka samo mangaraso” (sharing one another’s hardships and burdens) has long been a guiding value.
Recognizing the scale of the challenges faced by the people of Salareh Aia, Ikatan Keluarga Minang (IKM) Jepang has joined hands with Human Initiative Japan and Restoran Amanah Mande to mobilize support from the Indonesian and Japanese communities.
As a gathering place for many members of the Minangkabau diaspora, Restoran Amanah Mande serves not only as a restaurant, but also as a platform for raising awareness and encouraging collective action for communities back home.
Together, we believe that recovery becomes possible when communities remain connected, regardless of distance.
A Comprehensive Recovery Plan
1. Safe Housing and Settlement Recovery
Many families remain without adequate housing following the disaster.
The recovery plan includes:
- Construction of temporary shelters for displaced families.
- Development of permanent housing solutions.
- Provision of building materials for partially damaged homes.
- Training for local builders to promote safer construction practices.
A safe home provides more than shelter. It restores dignity, security, and stability for families rebuilding their lives.
2. Clean Water and Sanitation
Access to clean water remains one of the most urgent needs in the village.
During the emergency response, a temporary water distribution network was established to serve affected households. However, portions of the system were built using emergency materials that are now experiencing frequent failures and leaks.
The recovery plan includes:
- Revitalization of the village’s PAMSIMAS water system.
- Upgrading temporary facilities into sustainable infrastructure.
- Replacement of vulnerable pipelines with stronger HDPE pipes.
- Construction of proper intake and reservoir facilities.
- Rehabilitation of family sanitation facilities.
These interventions will help ensure reliable access to safe water and sanitation for approximately 400 residents.
What Is PAMSIMAS?
PAMSIMAS, or Penyediaan Air Minum dan Sanitasi Berbasis Masyarakat (Community-Based Water Supply and Sanitation Program), is an Indonesia’s nationally recognized community-managed water system.
PAMSIMAS helps rural communities secure sustainable access to clean water by developing and maintaining shared water infrastructure managed by local residents themselves that typically includes:
✅ Water sources and collection facilities
✅ Storage tanks and reservoirs
✅ Distribution pipelines connecting homes and public facilities
✅ Community-managed operation and maintenance systems
PAMSIMAS serves as the backbone of daily water access for many rural communities across Indonesia.
When disasters damage this infrastructure, entire communities can lose reliable access to one of life’s most basic necessities.
3. Education Recovery
Education was also severely disrupted by the disaster.
With seven schools experiencing major damage, many children continue to face challenges accessing safe learning environments.
The recovery plan supports:
- School rehabilitation initiatives.
- Disaster-safe school programs.
- Community learning facilities that strengthen children’s resilience and future opportunities.
Investing in education helps ensure that recovery does not create a lost generation of learners.
4. Livelihood Recovery
Agriculture is the backbone of Salareh Aia’s economy.
When 165 hectares of farmland were damaged, many families lost their primary source of income.
To help families regain economic independence, the recovery plan supports:
- Agricultural equipment and inputs.
- Alternative farming initiatives.
- Community business development.
- Small business capital support.
- Livelihood diversification programs.
These efforts aim to help households recover not only their income, but also their long-term resilience against future shocks.
Why Your Support Matters
When disasters strike, recovery does not end when floodwaters recede.
For communities like Salareh Aia, recovery can take years.
Your contribution can help:
🏠 Restore safe housing
💧 Improve access to clean water and sanitation
📚 Rebuild educational opportunities for children
🌱 Revitalize livelihoods and local economies
🤝 Strengthen community resilience for the future
Together, these efforts help families move beyond survival and toward sustainable recovery.
Funding Need
Salareh Aia Recovery Program
Location: Salareh Aia Village, Palembayan District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Beneficiaries: Approximately 410 direct beneficiaries across multiple recovery sectors.
Total Recovery Requirement: Approximately JPY 78,000,000 (equivalent to the catalog budget requirement of IDR 9.21 billion).
Help Rebuild More Than Structures
The people of Salareh Aia are not asking for charity alone.
They are striving to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, educate their children, and secure a better future after one of the most devastating disasters in recent Indonesian history.
Your donation is an investment in that recovery.
Join us in helping Salareh Aia rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient than before.