From Emergency Response to Full Recovery: Steps in Post-Disaster Management in Sumatra

Post-hydro-meteorological disaster management in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra has entered a new phase. After the emergency response and transition phases, affected areas are preparing for permanent recovery through a phased rehabilitation and reconstruction program running until 2028.

Chairman of the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force for Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that disaster management follows three main stages: emergency response, transition, and permanent recovery. He noted that the initial emergency phase, which began immediately after the disaster, was effectively mitigated through coordinated efforts between the central and local governments, as well as relevant ministries and agencies.

“The first stage after a disaster is emergency response. It is directly commanded by the President, with all ministries and agencies mobilised, and local governments also acting swiftly, which was effectively managed,” Tito said after a coordination meeting between the PRR Task Force and the House of Representatives’ Galapana Task Force at the DPR Complex in Jakarta on Sunday (25 May).

Tito explained that since the PRR Task Force was established on 8 January, cross-sector coordination has been accelerated to oversee the transition phase. Most basic services that were disrupted have now resumed, including local governance, electricity supply, fuel distribution, internet services, and healthcare facilities.

In terms of connectivity, all national roads have been restored, and national bridges are operational again, whether through permanent construction or temporary solutions such as Bailey bridges, Armco bridges, provisional bridges, and suspension bridges.

“National bridges are functional and connected, even if temporarily. Some use Bailey, provisional, Armco, and suspension bridges, but they are operational for mobility,” he said.

Progress is also evident in the education and housing sectors. Of the approximately 4,922 affected schools, most have resumed classes at their original sites after repairs, though some still use tents, temporary classrooms, or share facilities with other schools, particularly in areas requiring relocation. Meanwhile, the number of displaced people staying in tents continues to decline.

With these developments, the government is now focusing on the permanent recovery phase based on the Master Plan for accelerated disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction. The document was prepared through consolidation of proposals from local governments, ministries and agencies, and coordination with the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas) and the PRR Task Force.