PRR Task Force Ensures Post-Disaster Recovery in Sumatra Has Not Stopped

Head of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (PRR) Tito Karnavian said that since the first day of the disaster late last year, the central government quickly deployed various forces for emergency response. He conveyed this at the closing of the Aceh Ramadhan Festival 2026, linked with the Ramadan feast and the Nuzul al-Qur’an commemoration at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque on Friday (6 March). He noted the disaster affected 52 regencies/cities across Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar). At that time, personnel from the Indonesian Army (TNI), the Police (Polri), and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) were deployed to the field to assist communities. The conditions forced joint teams to penetrate areas where access roads were cut off due to floods and infrastructure damage. “We even had to cross rivers that were cut off. Because of my love for Aceh, today I see the situation has changed significantly since I arrived on 29 November,” Tito said. He assessed that the situation in affected areas is now far better than at the start of the disaster. Electricity has almost fully recovered in most areas across the three provinces. Furthermore, the internet network that had been interrupted has also started to return to normal. Logistics distribution to mountainous areas such as Aceh Tengah has gradually improved, while market activity and the people’s economy are starting to move again. “Market activity and the people’s economy are also getting back on track, all thanks to our hard work and the blessings of Allah SWT,” Tito said. Tito stressed that the government continues to handle several areas, especially Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Timur, Aceh Utara, Pidie Jaya, and Bireuen. The response also focuses on mountainous areas such as Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, and Aceh Tengah, which still experience damaged roads and temporary bridges. At the same time, the government is disbursing the first phase of aid, from house repairs to individual assistance for residents. “Lightly damaged houses receive Rp15 million, moderately damaged Rp30 million. Then individual assistance in the form of basic food money Rp15,000 per day, furniture assistance Rp3 million, and economic stimulus Rp5 million,” he said. Of the total, about Rp400 billion is earmarked for Aceh, including Rp241.6 billion channelled to Pidie Jaya. In addition to recovery aid, the government is also distributing worship equipment, such as thousands of prayer mats and waqf Qur’ans. “There are 5,000 prayer mats. Then the Qur’ans waqf donated by the President total 70,000, but today we are distributing 5,000 here. There are prayer mats, sarongs, and mukenas. God willing, these will be useful and should be given to those in need,” Tito concluded.