Indonesia's parliament reviews Sumatra flood recovery

Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the coordination forum was aimed at evaluating ongoing response and reconstruction efforts, following an earlier meeting held in Aceh in January 2026.

“Our objective is to bring together relevant ministers to jointly assess post-disaster measures in Sumatra,” Dasco said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta.

He said those attending included Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, who chairs the government’s disaster task force, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) chief Suharyanto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo and Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf.

Also present were Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Housing and Settlement Areas Minister Maruarar Sirait, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and Trade Minister Budi Santoso, among other officials.

Dasco said the government had previously set a target of restoring administrative and bureaucratic services in affected areas before the start of Ramadan.

Most local administrations are now operating again, with only a small number yet to resume full services.

He added that lawmakers and the government had outlined plans to rehabilitate rivers and repair basic infrastructure, particularly in previously isolated districts. Road access to all areas in Aceh has now been reopened, he said.

“Despite challenging terrain, no regions remain cut off, and river normalisation efforts are ongoing,” Dasco said.

The meeting also sought updates on the construction of temporary housing for displaced residents, as authorities work to ensure faster relocation and prevent prolonged stays in emergency shelters, he added.