Author: Rizkia Fardilla
The flash floods that struck Aceh Tamiang Regency in late November 2025 not only left physical damage but also disrupted the education of thousands of students. Recognizing the importance of a swift and comprehensive recovery in the education sector, the Aceh Forest, Nature, and Environment Foundation (HAkA), along with volunteers, took concrete action through a collaborative effort to clean up flood-affected schools. This activity symbolized the revival of education and demonstrated solidarity across all sectors in addressing the impact of the disaster.
The flash floods and landslides that occurred on November 26, 2025, caused thick mud to cover classrooms, teachers’ lounges, and supporting facilities in hundreds of schools in Aceh. This situation significantly hampered the teaching and learning process. Many schools could not immediately reopen due to limited manpower and equipment to clear the remaining mud and floodwaters. This situation directly impacted children’s right to a proper and safe education.
In response to this emergency, the Aceh Forest, Nature and Environment Foundation (HAkA) collaborated with the Aceh Education Office to initiate a mutual assistance program for school recovery. This collaboration not only expedited the cleanup process but also ensured that activities were carried out in accordance with the needs and priorities of the schools. Synergy between civil society organizations and local governments is key to strengthening post-disaster education recovery efforts.
Five Affected Schools as Priority Action
In its implementation, cleaning activities focused on five schools affected by flash floods in Aceh Tamiang Regency, namely:
- Aceh Tamiang State Special Needs School
- SMAN 1 Kejuruan Muda
- SMKN 1 Karang Baru
- SMKN 2 Karang Baru
- SMAN 1 Bandar Pusaka
The selection of these schools was based on the level of damage and the urgency of recovery so that the teaching and learning process can quickly return to normal.
This mutual cooperation activity involved not only volunteers from the HAkA Foundation, but also teachers, parents, and Community Service (KKN) students from Syiah Kuala University, Ar-Raniry State Islamic University, and local agencies. The involvement of these various elements reflects the strong social solidarity in restoring education. At the Pembina Aceh Tamiang State Special Needs School, parents played an active role in cleaning the children’s classrooms. The hope that the children would again receive a decent education motivated the parents to clear the classrooms of the half-hardened mud. Meanwhile, the KKN students and volunteers divided into teams to clean the mud in the classrooms and teams to clean school equipment that was still usable.
From January 10–14, 2026, volunteers were divided into teams based on the target schools. Using shovels, hoes, buckets, and other cleaning tools, we cleaned the thick mud that had clung to the floors, walls, desks, and chairs. This process was carried out intensively and thoroughly, ensuring that classrooms and staff rooms were fit for use again. Mutual cooperation enabled this difficult task to be completed more quickly and efficiently.
In addition to cleaning activities, HAkA also distributed various supporting aid to schools. This included dispensers, drinking water gallons, drinking bottles, student socks, and cleaning supplies such as soap and mops. The aid was distributed symbolically as a tangible form of support for educational recovery in Aceh Tamiang. This assistance is expected to support the schools’ short- and long-term needs.
The distribution of clean water dispensers and gallon jugs aims to ensure access to hygienic and safe drinking water for students and teachers post-disaster. Furthermore, the use of drinking bottles is a strategic step to reduce dependence on single-use bottled water, in line with the HAkA Foundation’s commitment to promoting environmentally friendly behavior. Schools are expected to become educational spaces about the importance of reducing plastic waste from an early age.
This activity demonstrates that mutual cooperation is not just a tradition, but also a crucial foundation for building educational resilience in the face of disasters. Collaboration across stakeholders enables rapid, inclusive, and sustainable recovery. By involving the surrounding community, schools are not only physically restored but also socially strengthened.
“We hope that these clean-up activities and aid distribution can accelerate the recovery of the teaching and learning process in schools affected by the floods, especially in Aceh Tamiang.” said Raja Mulkan, Campaigner for the HAkA Foundation. This statement underscores the importance of continued collaboration to build a more resilient education system ready to face future challenges.
Through this collaborative effort, we believe that education can emerge stronger with the support of all parties. Post-disaster school recovery isn’t just about cleaning buildings, but also about restoring hope and enthusiasm for learning in the younger generation.
