Home Affairs Minister: Post-disaster recovery in Sumatra shows positive progress
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) and concurrently the Chair of the Task Force for Accelerated Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) Post-Disaster Sumatra, Tito Karnavian, said rehabilitation and reconstruction post-disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra continues to show positive progress.
He made the remarks while attending the Aceh Ramadhan Festival 2026, held in conjunction with the Khanduri Ramadhan and the commemoration of Nuzulul Quran at the grounds of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Aceh.
In a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, Tito explained that from day one of the disaster, the central government had deployed various national forces to carry out emergency response in the affected areas across the three provinces.
Personnel from the TNI, Polri, and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) were deployed to the ground to assist affected communities. The joint team even had to reach areas where access roads were severed by floods and infrastructure damage.
“We also had to breach rivers that were cut. Because of my love for Aceh, today I see the situation has changed a great deal since I arrived on November 29,” Tito said.
According to him, conditions in the affected areas are now far better than at the start of the disaster at the end of November. Electricity, which had previously only recovered around 50 percent, has now nearly fully recovered.
In addition, the internet network, which was temporarily cut, is now returning to normal. Logistics distribution to mountainous areas such as Aceh Tengah has also improved gradually, while market activity and the local economy are beginning to move again.
“Aktivitiy pasar dan perekonomian masyarakat pun mulai kembali berjalan, semua karena kerja keras kita dan berkah dari Allah SWT,” he said.
Nevertheless, the government is still addressing several areas affected by mud floods and landslides, especially in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Timur, Aceh Utara, Pidie Jaya, and Bireuen.
Handling is also focused on mountainous regions such as Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, and Aceh Tengah, which are still experiencing road and bridge damage.
Tito noted that the government has disbursed the first-phase aid to disaster-affected communities, ranging from home repairs to individual assistance for residents.
“Lightly damaged houses will receive Rp15 million, moderately damaged Rp30 million. Then individual assistance in the form of dried food Rp15,000 per day, furniture assistance Rp3 million, and economic stimulus Rp5 million,” he said.
He said the total first-wave aid distributed amounted to around Rp900 billion. Of that total, around Rp400 billion was allocated for Aceh, including Rp241.6 billion disbursed in Pidie Jaya.
In addition to recovery assistance, the government is also distributing religious items to affected communities, such as thousands of prayer instruments and a Wakaf Al-Quran totaling 70,000 copies that will be distributed to those in need.
“There are 5,000 prayer tools. Then the Wakaf Al-Quran from the President totalling 70,000, but today we are distributing 5,000 here. There are prayer mats, sarongs, and prayer gowns. God willing it will be beneficial,” he said.
During the event, the Mendagri also struck the bedug drum in the mosque courtyard, marking the start of the Iftar together with the community and participants.
The programme continued with Maghrib prayers in congregation in the mosque complex, a source of pride for Aceh.
In the occasion, Tito was accompanied by Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, Vice Governor Fadlullah, and the Director General of Regional Administration at the Ministry of Home Affairs Safrizal ZA.