Local Governments Urged to Assist Neighbouring Areas Affected by Sumatra Disaster

Jakarta - The Chairman of the Task Force for Accelerating Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, Tito Karnavian, is urging local governments (pemda) to assist neighbouring areas severely affected by the floods and landslides that struck Sumatra in November 2025. According to him, the acceleration of recovery from the disaster’s impacts in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra is being pursued through strengthened collaboration among local governments. “From the latest update this morning, three regions have already made commitment statements to help the affected areas, namely Simalungun, Asahan, and Pematangsiantar,” Tito said during a press conference at the Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3/2026). The budget is then distributed to all regencies/cities in the three provinces, including areas not directly affected. Therefore, the central government is advising heads of regions in relatively safe or unaffected areas, but still receiving budget allocations, to be willing to channel some of their funds in the form of grants to neighbouring regions. “We hope that these heavily affected regions will have additional budgets so they can work to resolve the problems,” he stated. Meanwhile, Tito conveyed that the target for completing rehabilitation and reconstruction post-disaster in the three provinces is estimated to take up to three years. “This process requires a not-short time, not just a few months, but can reach two to three years,” Tito added.