sumatra Disasters Leave Nearly Two-Thirds of Children in Palembayan with Sleep Disorders
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A new report reveals the devastating psychological toll of recent natural disasters in Sumatra, Indonesia, with approximately 65% of children in the Palembayan sub-district experiencing sleep disturbances. The findings underscore the critical need for mental health support for vulnerable populations following ecological catastrophes.
The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) in West Sumatra released the data on Monday, December 22, 2025, following screenings conducted in the aftermath of a series of floods and landslides that began impacting the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra on November 25, 2025. The assessment focused on 61 children between the ages of 3 and 18 directly affected by the disasters in Palembayan.
“We found a relatively high number of children experiencing sleep disorders,” stated Asrawati, chair of IDAI West Sumatra, during a virtual briefing on health conditions in the disaster-affected areas. Of those screened, 40 children exhibited signs of sleep disorders, while 21 reported no such issues.
The Scope of the Disaster and Initial Response
The ecological disasters have had a catastrophic impact across the region, claiming at least 1,106 lives, injuring over 7,000 individuals, and displacing hundreds of thousands more. As of the latest reports, 175 people remain missing.The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports that a total of 52 regencies across the three provinces have been affected. The damage is extensive, with 147,236 houses, approximately 1,600 public facilities, 967 educational institutions, 434 places of worship, 290 office buildings, 219 health facilities, and 145 bridges sustaining damage.
IDAI is actively collaborating with child psychologists to provide trauma-healing support to children struggling with sleep disturbances.This proactive approach recognizes the vital link between psychological well-being and recovery following traumatic events.
Anxiety and PTSD Rates Alarmingly High
Beyond sleep disorders, the screenings revealed significant levels of anxiety and potential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the children. Of the 15 children surveyed for anxiety-related symptoms, two were diagnosed with anxiety disorders. One child received a diagnosis of panic disorder, while another displayed symptoms indicative of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder.
Perhaps most concerning, a screening for PTSD using the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES) indicated that 49 out of 55 children assessed – a staggering 89% – are at risk of developing the condition. This data highlights the profound and lasting psychological burden the disaster has placed on the region’s youth.
IDAI emphasized the urgent need for early psychosocial intervention and the establishment of an integrated mental health referral system to address the escalating mental health crisis. The organization’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the frequently enough-overlooked psychological consequences of natural disasters, particularly for children.
The long-term effects of these disasters will undoubtedly extend beyond the immediate physical damage, requiring sustained and thorough support for affected communities to heal and rebuild.
Why did this happen? A series of floods and landslides, beginning November 25, 2025, triggered the crisis. Heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and hillsides to collapse, devastating communities across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces.
Who was affected? The disasters impacted 52 regencies across the three provinces, resulting in at least 1,106 deaths, over 7,000 injuries, and hundreds of thousands
