Aceh Task Force Accelerates Environmental Cleanup through Cash for Work Scheme

Efforts to restore Aceh are progressing intensively. The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Rehab-Rekon) continues to expedite on-site physical activities, one of which is the environmental cleanup programme through the Cash for Work scheme.

In the initial phase at the end of March, activities were focused on two affected districts, namely Pidie Jaya Regency and Aceh Tamiang Regency, involving hundreds of combined personnel and local residents.

In Pidie Jaya Regency, 375 people were deployed in the first phase, consisting of Satpol PP, Linmas, Firefighting Volunteers (Redkar), and residents. Cleanup activities were carried out in Gampong Meunasah Lhok (Meureudu Subdistrict) and Gampong Meunasah Raya (Meurah Dua Subdistrict) from 28 March to 4 April 2026.

Meanwhile, in Aceh Tamiang Regency, around 400 residents have participated in a similar programme from 27 March to 2 April 2026. In addition to restoring environmental conditions, this programme is also designed to provide direct economic impacts to the community.

The Head of the Aceh Regional Post, who is also the Director General of Regional Administration Development (Adwil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safrizal ZA, stated that the Cash for Work scheme was chosen so that the community gains dual benefits from the rehabilitation process.

“We ensure that this programme not only focuses on infrastructure and environmental improvements but also helps household economies. Through Cash for Work, residents are directly involved in recovery while earning income to meet needs after Eid,” said Safrizal, who previously served as Acting Governor of Aceh.

He also emphasised the importance of quickly and accurately distributing workers’ rights. Each programme participant receives a wage of Rp120,000 per day plus a meal allowance of Rp45,000.

“Our main principle is transparency and effectiveness. Payments are made in cash directly to workers in the field, so the spirit of mutual cooperation is maintained without neglecting the community’s economic rights,” he explained.

This programme is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to ensure that affected areas in Aceh can recover comprehensively with the principle of better reconstruction.