Home Affairs Minister Asks Low-Impact Disaster Areas in North Sumatra to Donate Funds to Aceh

JAKARTA - The Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian has requested several local governments in North Sumatra (Sumut) that were minimally affected by the disaster to channel part of their funds to Aceh, which has experienced heavier impacts.

Tito explained that this step is driven by humanitarian principles through an inter-regional grant mechanism.

“Therefore, I then held a Zoom meeting, urging eight regions in North Sumatra that were slightly affected, and some not affected at all. Only two were affected, the others were not affected but received additional funds,” Tito said during a working meeting with Commission II of the DPR RI on Monday (13/4/2026).

Meanwhile, several regions in Sumut have received large budget allocations despite not being significantly affected.

“Well, this is what I am pushing for, please, humanitarianism. The heavily affected areas in Aceh, which have no additional funds, should be helped from North Sumatra which received a large amount but was not affected, or only slightly affected,” he stated.

He then detailed several regions in Sumut requested to provide assistance.

For example, Medan City, which received around Rp 565 billion, is encouraged to grant Rp 50 billion.

In addition, Deli Serdang Regency, which received Rp 493 billion, is asked to channel Rp 50 billion to East Aceh.

“Simalungun was not affected, received 412 (billion), Rp 30 billion for North Aceh which is heavily affected, North Aceh is heavily affected,” Tito said.

Then, Asahan Regency, which was only lightly affected with a budget of Rp 261 billion, is asked to channel Rp 30 billion.

Other regions such as Serdang Bedagai, Labuhanbatu, and Pematangsiantar City are also encouraged to help.

“Please help with Rp 25 billion: Gayo Lues, Central Aceh,” Tito said.

Tito emphasised that communication with regional heads in Sumut has been conducted and in principle, they do not object to channelling the assistance.

He added that his side has also conveyed this to local governments in Aceh so that the grant process can run smoothly.

“This is what we conveyed to all eight regional heads in Sumut, and also in Aceh, so that they carry out this grant mechanism. Well, this is what we reported to request support from Commission II, purely for humanitarian reasons,” he concluded.