Disaster Recovery Task Force Utilises Driftwood for Rehabilitation of Affected Areas

The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) post-Sumatera disaster is expediting the utilisation of driftwood that emerged due to hydrometeorological disasters in Aceh, North Sumatera, and West Sumatera at the end of last year. The wood carried by flood currents is now being used as material for constructing housing, public facilities, and industrial needs. Head of Satgas PRR Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that a scheme for utilising driftwood has been prepared to ensure the material can be used optimally in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process of the affected areas. “It can also be used by the community to build their own (homes), please do so,” Tito said during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building, Office of the Presidential Staff, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3). Data from Satgas PRR as of 2 April 2026 records that the utilisation of driftwood has been underway in several affected areas. In Aceh Province, particularly North Aceh Regency, 2,112.11 cubic metres of wood have been utilised for building temporary shelters. Meanwhile, in Aceh Tamiang Regency, there are 572.4 cubic metres of wood awaiting local government policy on its designation for use. In North Sumatera Province, covering South Tapanuli Regency, there is 329.24 cubic metres of wood for building temporary shelters, social facilities, and public facilities. Meanwhile, in Central Tapanuli Regency, 93.39 cubic metres of wood have been used to support the recovery of residents’ homes affected by the disaster. Then in West Sumatera, specifically in Padang City, a volume of 1,996.58 cubic metres of driftwood has been handed over to the local government to be utilised according to rehabilitation and reconstruction needs. Tito stated that the utilisation of driftwood for post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction is in line with Ministerial Decree of Forestry Number 191 of 2026, which regulates the utilisation of driftwood due to disasters as a resource material to support emergency handling, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Tito also emphasised that parts of the driftwood that are small in size and less economical should, as much as possible, be utilised by local governments (pemda) to become original local revenue (PAD). For example, utilised as material for making bricks or fuel for power plants. “The mechanism (is through) cooperation and the income becomes PAD (Original Local Revenue),” said Tito. Furthermore, Tito assured that the acceleration of driftwood utilisation will continue until all piles of driftwood are cleared at all points. He revealed that the current condition shows that most piles of driftwood in the three affected areas have significantly reduced. “The (drift)wood in Aceh is about 70 percent handled, with 30 percent not yet handled, especially those in the interior. Then in West Sumatera 99 percent handled, and in North Sumatera already 90 percent in Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli,” said Tito.