The civil society group ‒ Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (National Conscience Movement) ‒ asks the government to immediately declare the severe floods and landslides affecting Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as a national disaster, citing the widespread destruction and growing number of victims.

Gerakan Nurani Bangsa is an organization of interfaith and senior figures concerned about the national situation, including the detention of activists and the handling of natural disasters. The movement demands the release of detained activists, reforms in various fields, the handling of serious natural disasters, and upholding of human rights.

In regards with the disaster on the northern part of Sumatra, the organization emphasized the urgent need for a rapid, integrated emergency response to ensure that all survivors receive full and effective assistance. They highlighted the massive scale of the catastrophe ‒ significant loss of life, widespread damage to thousands of homes, livestock, and public infrastructure, dwindling supplies of basic necessities, and disrupted communication and transport networks across multiple regions.

“Gerakan Nurani Bangsa believes this humanitarian tragedy ‒ which has caused loss of life and paralyzed social and economic activities in many areas of Sumatra ‒ must be recognized as a National Disaster,” the group stated, as quoted in their national message titled “Sumatra’s Tragedy is a National Disaster,” on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

The group called on the government to mobilize national-level resources to strengthen disaster handling efforts.

“A comprehensive and centralized response is needed. The mobilization of national resources must be maximized, especially given the limited capacity of regional governments,” the group said.

Beyond immediate response, Gerakan Nurani Bangsa also stressed the importance of stronger environmental protections to prevent similar disasters in the future. They warned that environmental degradation driven by human greed could have contributed to the severity of the floods and landslides.

“The government must tighten environmental policies and regulations to protect sustainability, as such disasters may stem from violations driven by human greed,” the statement said.

The organization extended deep condolences to the families of those who died, and expressed solidarity with everyone affected by the devastating floods and landslides across Sumatra. They also praised volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and all parties who have rapidly mobilized resources to support survivors. Additionally, they encouraged the Indonesian public to stand united in humanitarian solidarity.

“Let us take real action to ease the burden of those affected and strengthen national unity,” they stated.

Gerakan Nurani Bangsa reminded the country that Indonesia’s natural wealth is a divine blessing that must be managed wisely for current and future generations. They said the ongoing disaster reflects the consequences of ignorance and negligence toward nature.

As of December 3, 2025, at 15:50 local time, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 811 deaths, 623 missing persons, and 2,600 injuries.

“May God Almighty give us strength to face this trial,” the organization concluded.

Figures in Gerakan Nurani Bangsa include wife of 4th president Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, Muslim clerics Quraish Shihab and Komaruddin Hidayat, chairman of the Indonesian Communion of Churces (PGI) Gomar Gultom, Catholic priest Franz Magnis-Suseno, and anti-corruption activists Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas and Laode M. Syarif.