Disaster Recovery Progress in Sumatra Revealed: Task Force Head Tito Reports Significant Decline in Displaced Persons
Domestic Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, serving as Head of the Task Force for Acceleration of Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (PRR) Following Natural Disasters in the Sumatra Region, unveiled the latest progress on post-disaster recovery efforts. Based on data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 25 February 2026, the number of displaced persons across three provinces has dropped significantly from an initial 2,108,582 to 11,250 people.
This was conveyed by Tito during a ministerial-level coordination meeting of the task force for rehabilitation and reconstruction following natural disasters in the Sumatra region at the Ministry of Coordinating Affairs for Human Development and Culture Building (Kemenko PMK) headquarters in Jakarta on Friday (27/2/2026).
The displaced persons comprised 10,400 in Aceh Province and 850 in North Sumatra Province (Sumut). “Then in West Sumatra Province, praise be to God, there are no longer any displaced persons on our records. There are no more people in tents; everyone is now in temporary housing,” said Tito.
During the meeting, he reported that five villages across two provinces required resettlement due to disaster impact. These included 3 villages in Aceh Province and 2 villages in North Sumatra. West Sumatra reported no villages requiring resettlement.
Tito also noted that of 52 disaster-affected districts and cities, 38 had returned to normal conditions. Additionally, 3 districts and cities were approaching normalcy. Meanwhile, 11 districts and cities still required special attention.
Tito explained that indicators of regional normalcy were determined by several variables, including governance, public services, land access, economy, social conditions, and basic indicators such as petrol stations, electricity, water supply, internet, LPG gas, waste management facilities, waste banks, and river normalisation.
“There was also the matter of rice fields and plantations that were affected, as well as fish ponds and fisheries,” he added.
During the forum, he appreciated the work of various ministries and agencies, as well as local governments (Pemda), who had cooperated in advancing post-disaster recovery. He assured that current developments in post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation were showing positive progress, particularly in road access that has become fully functional, electricity supply available to communities, and petrol stations operating normally.
“If markets are all moving, roads are functioning, but MSMEs are not yet [operating fully]. We still have tasks ahead including mud clearance, bridges, village roads, and areas we need to complete,” Tito stated.
Also attending the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, and related parties from ministries and local governments.