JAKARTA — January 5, 2026 — Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has redirected funds from its 80th anniversary celebrations toward large-scale humanitarian assistance for disaster-affected communities in Sumatra, channeling an estimated IDR 155 billion to support recovery efforts in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar said the decision to scale down the Hari Amal Bakti (HAB) anniversary events was a deliberate act of solidarity with communities facing the aftermath of floods and other natural disasters.

“This year’s anniversary was intentionally held in a simple manner so that available resources could be focused on helping people who are suffering,” Nasaruddin said during a thanksgiving ceremony at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium in Jakarta.

According to the minister, delayed disbursement of several ministry programs created space for budget reallocation, enabling the ministry to respond more flexibly to humanitarian needs. Of the total aid distributed, approximately IDR 66.47 billion was sourced from the state budget, while the remainder came from public donations, civil servant contributions, and coordinated support from faith-based philanthropic institutions, including the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) and the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI).

Aid delivery has been carried out in stages, with officials carefully assessing conditions on the ground. Some areas remain flooded, while damaged infrastructure and unstable soil have complicated access to affected communities. Nasaruddin said progress has been made as most damaged bridges have been restored, allowing rehabilitation work to continue.

The humanitarian assistance focuses on restoring essential religious and educational facilities that serve as community anchors during crises. The program targets the recovery of 1,137 mosques, 500 madrasahs, 357 Islamic boarding schools, and 13 Islamic higher education institutions, along with support for 11,202 teachers, 1,122 education personnel, and 112,964 students.

As of early January 2026, the ministry reported that 935 mosques have been rehabilitated, 435 madrasahs are ready to resume teaching, and 9,000 copies of the Qur’an have been distributed to affected communities. Thousands of learning equipment packages, sanitation kits, and emergency supplies—including tents, generators, and water pumps—have also been delivered.

Beyond material assistance, the ministry has mobilized social support initiatives, including a blood donation drive organized by the Ministry’s Dharma Wanita Persatuan, which collected nearly 300 units of blood to help address shortages at hospitals and emergency facilities.

Nasaruddin said the humanitarian response reflects the ministry’s broader commitment to religious harmony and social responsibility, emphasizing that faith-based institutions must play an active role in protecting vulnerable communities and supporting national recovery efforts.