JK Estimates One Year Needed to Restore Clean Water Post-Disaster in Sumatra

Jakarta — Jusuf Kalla (JK), chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia, PMI), estimates that the process of restoring clean water following the disaster in the Sumatra region will require approximately one year.

JK noted that this timeframe is necessary because many water distribution pipes have been damaged by the disaster and must be replaced and repaired.

“All the pipes were damaged, they need to be replaced and repaired. All of this — our task, roughly the PMI’s role there will take about a year,” said JK at the PMI Central Headquarters on Thursday (12 March 2026).

Drawing on PMI’s experience in handling previous disasters, such as those in Yogyakarta and West Java, restoration of clean water systems typically requires up to one year for the entire pipe network to function properly again.

“A year to assist the community, particularly in providing clean water and other services. One year until all of the water pipe system can be restored to working order,” said JK.

“When a disaster occurs, electricity typically stops first, which means communication is cut off. Yet communities need information. For this reason, radios, torches, and batteries are very important to help communities obtain information,” said JK.

The assistance comprises 5,000 radio units, more than 5,000 torches, and more than 11,000 batteries with a total value exceeding Rp 2.3 billion.