Recover and Protect Indonesian Children

The Recover and Protect Indonesian Children program is part of the humanitarian emergency response carried out by Yayasan Fajar Sejahtera Indonesia in responding to flood and landslide disasters in Sumatra, particularly in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The program focuses on child protection and psychosocial recovery through the establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) in disaster-affected areas.

The flooding that struck Langkat Regency caused damage to residents’ homes, loss of livelihoods, and increased vulnerability among affected communities, especially women and children. In addition to physical impacts, children also experienced psychological distress due to the loss of safety, limited access to play and learning activities, and unfavorable conditions in displacement shelters.

As part of the Emergency Response program, YAFSI implemented a series of humanitarian activities in Tangkahan Durian Village, Langkat Regency, during February 2026. The interventions were designed not only to meet the basic needs of affected communities, but also to ensure that child protection and psychosocial support remained key priorities.

One of the main activities was the establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) as safe spaces for children affected by the floods. The CFS served as a place for children to play, learn, and receive psychosocial recovery support so they could gradually regain a sense of safety and comfort after experiencing disaster emergencies. As part of the implementation, YAFSI also distributed school bags and stationery supplies to approximately 110 flood-affected children.

In addition to the establishment of the CFS, the program also included:

• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services.
• Psychological First Aid (PFA) activities for children and families.
• Educational games and group activities for children.
• Positive parenting education for parents and caregivers.
• Distribution of emergency assistance, including shelter kits, cooking equipment, food packages, and WASH supplies (water, sanitation, and hygiene).

The approach used by YAFSI places the community as an essential part of the recovery process. The Child-Friendly Space is not only a temporary activity center, but also part of a community-based recovery strategy aimed at strengthening family resilience and child protection after disasters. YAFSI Chairperson, Badriyah, emphasized that the establishment of the CFS is part of the recovery process to help children and their families regain a sense of security and gradually recover from the impacts of the disaster.

This program is expected to continue to ensure that humanitarian responses do not stop at the emergency phase alone, but also contribute to medium-term recovery efforts and strengthen community preparedness for future disasters.

Links:

• MHPSS at Tangkahan Durian
• MHPSS at Tamiang