PRR Task Force Chief Reveals Post-Disaster Recovery Progress in Aceh Province

The Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Kasatgas PRR) following the Sumatra disaster, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has stated that the post-disaster recovery process in Aceh Province continues to show positive developments. He made this statement during a Coordination Meeting and Evaluation of Achievements in Handling and Accelerating Post-Hydrometeorological Disaster Recovery in Aceh Province at the Office of the Governor of Aceh. Tito explained that, based on the government’s evaluation, conditions in various affected areas are now much better than when the disaster struck. Various essential services that had been disrupted have now resumed, allowing community activities to gradually recover. ‘Earlier we evaluated what had been achieved during the emergency response and transition periods. The bottom line is we have returned to normality. But not permanently, it is a functional normal,’ said Tito in a written statement on Tuesday. According to Tito, this recovery is visible through various indicators, ranging from the governance, health, education, and infrastructure sectors to the economy and basic community services. In the governance sector, most government facilities have returned to function, enabling public services to run as they should. Meanwhile, health facilities in affected areas have also resumed operations to serve community needs. In the education sector, teaching and learning activities at the majority of affected schools have recommenced. However, Tito acknowledged that several schools still require further handling due to building damage or site conditions that remain disaster-prone. The government continues to accelerate the rehabilitation of educational facilities so that the learning process can run optimally. ‘But once again, there are some that are not yet ideal, schools for example. There are some still in tents, some are still makeshift, emergency premises,’ said Tito. ‘Some are using other schools, although most have returned to their original schools,’ he continued. Recovery progress is also visible in the infrastructure sector. Most road access and bridges have been made usable again, so that the mobility of people and the distribution of goods can proceed normally. Nevertheless, the government is still working on repairs to a number of road segments and bridges that suffered severe damage from the disaster. In the economic sector, trading activities in markets, stalls, shops, and other community businesses are also showing a good recovery trend. Various affected markets have resumed operations, allowing the wheels of the community’s economy to move again. In addition, basic services such as fuel supply, electricity, and telecommunications have also returned to function. Tito assessed these achievements as important indicators that life in affected communities is increasingly recovering and returning to normal. ‘This means the movement of people and goods is going well, electricity is okay, fuel stations are operational, the internet is also working. Then logistics are not in short supply,’ Tito explained. Despite this, Tito stressed that the government will not stop at the achievements made so far. Various follow-up tasks, especially those related to infrastructure rehabilitation, the handling of rivers and flood-prone areas, and the construction of housing for affected communities, will continue to be accelerated. This step is being carried out through synergy between the central government, local governments, and all relevant stakeholders. ‘Regardless of the fact that we have been able to restore normal functions to community life, there are still many issues that remain unresolved. Housing issues, education issues, houses, religious schools, roads, bridges, rice fields, then fishponds, and others,’ said Tito. ‘Those we need to repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct, and if necessary make even better,’ he continued. The coordination meeting was also attended by the Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf; the Deputy Governor of Aceh, Fadhlullah; the Head of the National Post for the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for the Sumatra Region, Wahyu Bintono; the Head of the Task Force Post for the Aceh Region, concurrently Director General for Regional Administration Development, Safrizal ZA; the Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the National Disaster Management Agency, Jarwansyah; as well as Regents and Mayors from across Aceh Province and representatives from related ministries and agencies.