PRR Task Force States SMEs Affected by Sumatra Disasters Are Increasingly Recovering

Activities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in disaster-affected areas of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra continue to show a recovery trend. The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) notes that the majority of business sectors such as stalls, shops, restaurants, and cafes have resumed operations and are serving as the main pillars of economic revival for survivors.

PRR Task Force Chair Muhammad Tito Karnavian explained that the recovery rate of MSME activities in West Sumatra Province has reached 100 per cent, while in Aceh Province and North Sumatra Province, it has reached 94.44 per cent each, with 17 regencies/cities having their economic activities back to normal.

“Nevertheless, there are still two areas that require special attention, namely Central Aceh Regency and Central Tapanuli Regency. In Central Aceh Regency, at least 13 business units such as restaurants, stalls, cafes, and shops are still affected due to severe damage scattered across several villages, including in Linge and Kebayakan Sub-districts. In addition, five hotel and accommodation units have also suffered damage, so economic activities in several locations have not fully recovered,” Tito said in a written statement on Saturday (18/4/2026).

Meanwhile, in Central Tapanuli Regency, the disaster’s impact is more widespread, with around 2,059 affected business units spread across 14 sub-districts. Damage from floods and landslides not only affects business buildings but also hinders the distribution of goods and community trading activities.

Tito Karnavian emphasised that MSME recovery is one of the main indicators of the resurgence of the affected regional economy.

“MSME stalls/shops are also important as economic indicators; the economy must operate because economic growth in the affected areas has declined across the board. Then inflation relatively increased previously, but now it has improved. Aceh has 94 per cent of its MSMEs; this is being handled by the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, together with the Minister of Trade and the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy,” he said.

To accelerate this recovery, the government is not only encouraging the reopening of business activities but also providing tangible support in the form of production facilities for affected MSME actors.

This support is realised through the distribution of various direct and practical business needs, including food and beverage sector production equipment such as cooking and food processing tools, business raw material assistance, and cooking oil packages to support daily operations for business actors.

“In addition, new clothing assistance is provided for affected business actors as part of the recovery of the small trading sector, as well as songket yarn to support the continuity of local craft businesses,” he explained.

To support operations in affected areas, the government is also preparing supporting facilities such as temporary business tents for MSME actors whose business premises are damaged. As well as bore wells to ensure the availability of clean water, which is a basic need for production and business service activities.

These steps are designed so that MSME actors not only reopen their businesses but are also able to carry out production and service activities optimally amid the recovery process.

On the other hand, the government is also strengthening financing support through the People’s Business Credit (KUR) programme, which refers to Minister of Coordinating Economic Affairs Regulation Number 2 of 2026 on Guidelines for KUR Implementation Post-Disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra Provinces.

Through this policy, the government provides relief in the form of payment deferrals, credit restructuring, and additional financing ceilings. In addition, access to new KUR is facilitated to encourage MSME actors to recover and develop.

“As of 18 April 2026, a total of 193,703 affected KUR debtors have been recorded in the three provinces with a total outstanding of Rp11.22 trillion. This programme is one of the important instruments in maintaining the sustainability of community businesses during the recovery period,” he concluded.