Bireuen Extends Transition Period by 90 Days, BNPB Chief Confirms Procedural Compliance
The emergency-to-recovery transition period following the Sumatra floods is still ongoing in several areas. The Bireuen Regency Government in Aceh has decided to extend the transition phase by 90 days. This step was taken because a number of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction processes are still underway.
The decision was agreed upon during a coordination meeting led by Bireuen Regional Secretary Ismunandar at the Bappeda Hall in Bireuen on Friday, 5 June 2026. The meeting was attended by elements of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), representatives from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and several Regional Work Units (SKPK).
Head of the Bireuen Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Marwan, stated that the first phase of the emergency transition period was due to end on Saturday, 6 June 2026. However, based on an assessment, the transition period needed to be extended to ensure the recovery process runs optimally.
“The proposal to extend this status is important to keep the field command system active, accelerate the disbursement of aid, and complete all ongoing recovery programmes,” Marwan said.
Responding to the extension, BNPB Chief Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto stated that flood-affected regency and city governments have the authority to extend the emergency-to-recovery transition period in accordance with prevailing regulations.
“Based on Government Regulation Number 21 of 2008, the definition of a disaster emergency status begins from the emergency alert status, emergency response, and emergency-to-recovery transition,” Suharyanto said via messaging application to Tempo on Thursday, 11 June 2026.
He continued that, according to Article 23 of the regulation, the authority to determine a disaster emergency status corresponds to the level of government. For the regency or city level, it is determined by the regent or mayor; at the provincial level by the governor; and at the national level by the president.
The continuation of the transition status is also linked to disaster management funding support. This is reinforced by Government Regulation Number 22 of 2008 concerning Funding and Management of Disaster Assistance, which stipulates that Ready-to-Use Funds (DSP) can be utilised during the emergency status period.
The operational use of DSP is regulated through BNPB Regulation Number 4 of 2020. These funds can be used for needs during the emergency alert, emergency response, and emergency transition phases.
“Examples include Waiting-for-Housing Funds (DTH), basic needs for survivors, as well as the construction of both temporary shelters (Huntara) and permanent housing (Huntap),” said the former Commander of the V/Brawijaya Regional Military Command.
On that basis, Suharyanto stated that the Bireuen Regency’s move is already in compliance with regulations as it falls under the local government’s authority. “Yes, it is still relevant in the context of accountability, given that the permanent housing construction process is currently underway, so affected communities still require DTH until they occupy Huntap, as well as other matters in accordance with the principles of the emergency-to-recovery transition,” he elaborated.
In Bireuen, the extension of the transition period is necessary because several recovery stages have not been completed. The local government is still verifying data on affected residents, including recipients of the second phase of Waiting-for-Housing Funds.
Additionally, the rehabilitation of affected residents’ homes and the construction of permanent housing are still ongoing. Affected residents still require support until they can occupy permanent housing.
Bireuen Regional Secretary Ismunandar has requested all relevant agencies to immediately evaluate the remaining work from the first transition phase. “Ensure all data on unregistered homes is validated immediately so that no affected community members are overlooked or lose their rights,” he said.
The decision to extend the transition period was not only proposed by the Bireuen Regency Government. Previously, the Ministry of Public Works office proposed a similar extension for four regions: Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, and Aceh Utara.
This was raised following a joint field visit with the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra from 28 May to 2 June.
The reason was similar: the construction of vital infrastructure such as river embankments, road rehabilitation, and permanent bridges in the disaster-affected areas is still ongoing.
In response to these conditions, Suharyanto affirmed that BNPB continues to deploy personnel or responsible officers in every affected regency and city. “We remain present to assist the local government,” he said.