North Sumatra Provincial Government and Central Tapanuli Form Team to Accelerate Validation of Disaster Victim Data

Medan (ANTARA) - The North Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov Sumut) together with the Central Tapanuli Regency Government (Pemkab Tapteng) has formed a task force to accelerate the validation of data collection for victims of the hydro-meteorological disaster. “This step is to ensure that the distribution of social assistance, economic stimulus, and home repairs targets the right recipients, is valid, and is carried out quickly,” said Acting Provincial Secretary of North Sumatra, Sulaiman Harahap, after leading a virtual meeting on accelerating data collection by name by address in Central Tapanuli from the North Sumatra Governor’s Office in Medan on Tuesday. He stated that the formation of this acceleration team is a follow-up to instructions from the central government through Interior Minister (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian. Tito also serves as the Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Disaster in Sumatra due to the hydro-meteorological disaster at the end of November 2025. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has disbursed first-phase stimulus funds worth Rp31.2 billion for repairing homes of affected residents in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra, on Tuesday (21/4). “The Interior Minister has ordered and approved the North Sumatra Governor to form a data acceleration team for collection and verification by name by address. The Provincial Government of North Sumatra will assist in completing the data required by the ministry,” Sulaiman said. The team is tasked with formulating working procedures down to the sub-district and village levels, so that in the following week, verified data can be obtained validly. “On Thursday, a meeting will be held between the North Sumatra Provincial Government, Central Tapanuli Regency Government, including the local leadership coordination forum and vertical agencies, to discuss the working mechanisms,” he said. The Secretary of Central Tapanuli Regency, Binsar Tua Hamonangan Sitanggang, appreciated the formation of the acceleration team involving the central and provincial governments. Nevertheless, Pemkab Tapteng continues to optimise the data collection, which is still being intensively refined. “We consider this data collection not yet perfect. With this central government policy, we express our deepest gratitude,” he said. Pemkab Tapteng is also willing to form a team that is expected to perfect the data collection for victims of the hydro-meteorological disaster. “So that the distribution of assistance, stimulus, and household equipment aid can be completed immediately for phase two and phase three,” Binsar Tua concluded.