People's Markets Affected by Sumatra Floods Operating at 93.33 Percent

Signs of economic recovery are emerging in flood-affected regions of Sumatra. According to records from the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) as of 7 April 2026, out of 210 people’s markets impacted, 196 are now accessible to the public.

The government must now focus on the 14 remaining people’s markets, or 6.67 percent, that are not yet operational. This is essential because, beyond hindering public access to basic necessities, these markets play a vital role in driving the overall local economy.

Aceh province has the most significant number of affected people’s markets, with 127 impacted. Currently, 114 are operational, leaving 13 trading centres that require government attention. Of these, 54 suffered heavy damage, 27 moderate damage, and 46 light damage.

The non-operational people’s markets are distributed as follows: two in North Aceh Regency, seven in Langsa, one in Gayo Lues, one in Bireuen, one in Central Bener Meriah, and one in Central Aceh. Reasons vary, including markets being washed away and turning into rivers, submerged in mud, inactive prior to the disaster requiring revitalisation, and severed connectivity for goods transport.

For instance, Pining Market in Gayo Lues cannot supply goods because distribution routes passing through two bridges remain cut off. These are the Pepelah Village Bridge in Pining Subdistrict, a regency road connecting Gayo Lues and East Aceh, and the Pintu Rime Village Bridge leading to Pertik Village in Pining Subdistrict, also linking Gayo Lues and East Aceh.

Nevertheless, Aceh’s recovery rate for people’s markets stands at an impressive 89.76 percent. The rest will be addressed through the diligent efforts of Satgas PRR, coordinated by its head, Interior Minister Tito Karnavian.

Shifting to North Sumatra province, Satgas PRR’s performance also brings positive news. Out of 57 affected people’s markets, only one remains non-operational: Huta Godang Market in South Tapanuli. The issue stems from difficult access, as the market was reflooded recently. As a result, traders cannot yet operate at the original site and have been temporarily relocated to Napa Village Market.

Statistically, North Sumatra has reactivated 98.24 percent of its affected people’s markets, nearly achieving full recovery. Previously, there were 15 heavily damaged, 25 moderately damaged, and 17 lightly damaged markets.

Another province hit by the late-year floods is West Sumatra. Fortunately, it has resolved all issues, with 100 percent of people’s markets back in operation. Previously, 26 markets were affected, comprising 16 heavily damaged, 4 moderately damaged, and 6 lightly damaged.

This is the overall picture. Beyond people’s markets, Trade Minister Budi Santoso, during a coordination meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and Satgas PRR on 18 February, noted that at least 18,065 traders were impacted. The sector is gradually recovering.

“Recovery of trading facilities, particularly people’s markets, continues to show tangible results. People’s markets are key to local economic recovery. We are ensuring rapid, measured, and comprehensive reactivation of markets,” said Budi Santoso, the minister often nicknamed Busan.

The Ministry of Trade is one of the ministries under Satgas PRR’s coordination for post-disaster recovery. Daily, the ministry reports to the Satgas PRR Head on market recovery and trading activities via the National Post.

Concrete steps by Satgas PRR to reactivate the 14 non-operational markets include providing tents as temporary trading spaces and market revitalisation. Additionally, the Ministry of Trade has proposed to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) plans for revitalising all 210 people’s markets, along with aid packages of trading equipment such as two-burner gas stoves, electric rice cookers, and other business essentials.

Furthermore, efforts to improve people’s market governance are underway to enhance management quality. This programme is supported by plans for building and repairing market facilities to optimise trading activities.

With transactions resuming in people’s markets, economic circulation should improve. This step is also expected to help curb inflation rates in the three affected provinces, particularly Aceh, which has recorded the highest annual figures over the past three months. In January, Aceh’s year-on-year (YoY) inflation reached 6.69 percent, rising to 6.94 percent in February, and standing at 5.31 percent in March 2026.

Indeed, while annual figures remain relatively high, the monthly trend in March 2026 shows improvement. Aceh and West Sumatra recorded 0.04 percent inflation, while North Sumatra experienced deflation of 0.13 percent. Satgas PRR Head and National Coordinator of the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID), Tito Karnavian, views this as reflecting smooth goods supply, controlled prices, and normalising economic activities.

“This means that the efforts so far to normalise Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra by controlling prices of goods and services have been quite good, as many supplies have entered,” he stated during the Regional Inflation Control Coordination Meeting on Monday, 6 April 2026.

The activation of people’s markets demonstrates the state’s presence in Sumatra flood recovery. The Ministry of Trade, Bappenas, and local governments will continue coordinating through Satgas PRR to restore community life to normal as soon as possible.