PRR Task Force: Majority of Sumatra Disaster-Affected Areas Now Free from Mud

Jakarta – The mud-clearing process following the disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra has demonstrated significant progress. By early March 2026, the combined team operating within the Acceleration Task Force for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) Following the Sumatra Disaster continued to accelerate response efforts across multiple affected sites.

Amran, spokesman for the Satgas PRR Following the Sumatra Disaster, explained that mud removal represents a crucial stage in the post-disaster rehabilitation process. This measure aims to restore community activities, ranging from residential areas to public facilities and transportation access.

“Mud removal is part of the post-disaster rehabilitation phase intended to restore public access and ensure that public facilities can return to functioning,” Amran stated during a press conference held at the Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.

406 Locations Already Cleared

According to the latest Satgas PRR data from Monday, 9 March 2026, of the total 508 target locations for cleaning across the three provinces, 406 locations have been successfully completed, representing approximately 80 per cent. Meanwhile, 102 other locations remain under work.

Aceh region has the highest number of cleaning locations. Of the total 455 targeted points, 366 locations have been completed, whilst 89 others remain under processing.

In North Sumatra, mud removal has been conducted at 24 locations. Of this number, 11 locations have been completed, whilst 13 others remain under work.

Meanwhile, the cleaning process in West Sumatra has been fully completed. A total of 29 affected locations in the province have been cleaned, achieving 100 per cent progress.

Educational Facilities Beginning to Recover

Amran also cited several educational facilities that have been completed in East Aceh. Cleaning was carried out both inside classrooms and in school yard areas.

“Several schools such as Lokop Primary School and a junior secondary school in Lokop District, East Aceh, for example, have been cleaned 100 per cent, both indoors and in school grounds,” he explained.

With this acceleration in cleaning efforts, the government hopes that community activities in the affected areas can return to normal as the rehabilitation and reconstruction process continues.