Home Affairs Minister Claims Aceh Has Returned to Normal, but Not Yet Permanent

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has stated that conditions in Aceh following the disaster which struck several regions some time ago have generally returned to normal. However, he emphasised that the current recovery remains functional in nature and is not yet fully permanent. “Most have returned to normal, but not permanent; the normalcy is functional,” Tito said after a coordination and evaluation meeting on disaster management and recovery acceleration achievements in Aceh at the Governor’s Office on Tuesday (9/6). The functional normality Tito referred to means the movement of people and goods has returned to smooth operation, electricity supply is available, public fuel stations are operating normally, internet networks are functioning, and the community’s logistical needs are being met. Nevertheless, Tito acknowledged that several public facilities have yet to fully recover. Some schools, for instance, are still using tents or emergency buildings as temporary learning spaces. Others are still sharing premises with other schools because their main facilities cannot yet be used. Likewise, bridges that serve as mobility arteries for residents are still not fully completed. “Most have indeed returned to their original schools, but some are still using emergency facilities because the recovery process is not yet finished,” he said. According to Tito, the next challenge is completing the rehabilitation and reconstruction process for various damaged infrastructure. A number of sectors still requiring attention include residential housing, educational facilities, places of worship, roads, bridges, as well as agricultural land and community fishponds. “Regardless of having been able to restore community life to normal function, many issues still need to be resolved. Housing, education facilities, madrasahs, roads, bridges, rice fields, fishponds and other matters need to be repaired and rehabilitated,” Tito stated. The government, Tito continued, will continue to oversee the recovery process so that community conditions are not only restored to functional normality, but also recover permanently through the rebuilding of affected infrastructure and facilities. Going forward, his ministry will monitor the progress of rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes run by the disaster-affected government every two weeks. “We will continue to monitor it every two weeks going forward,” he said.