Rescue and Rehabilitation Task Force Head Reports Significant Decline in Sumatra Displaced Persons
Interior Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, who serves as Head of the Task Force for Accelerated Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (PRR) following natural disasters in Sumatra, reported the latest progress on post-disaster recovery during a Ministerial Coordination Meeting on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction following natural disasters in the Sumatra region.
Based on data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 25 February 2026, the number of displaced persons across three provinces has declined significantly from 2,108,582 to 11,250 people. In detail, there are 10,400 displaced persons in Aceh Province, and 850 in North Sumatra (Sumut).
“In West Sumatra Province, thankfully there are no more displaced persons in our records. There are no longer any displaced persons in tents; they have all relocated to temporary housing,” Tito said at the Building of the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture (PMK), Jakarta, on Friday (27 February).
Tito reported that five villages across two provinces require reconstruction due to disaster impact, with three villages in Aceh and two in North Sumatra. In West Sumatra (Sumbar), no villages require reconstruction.
Of the 52 districts/cities affected by the disaster, conditions in 38 have returned to normal. Additionally, three districts/cities are approaching normal conditions, whilst 11 districts/cities still require special attention.
Tito explained that the indicator of normalcy in a region is determined by several variables, including governance, public services, land access, economy, social conditions, and other basic indicators such as petrol stations, electricity, water systems, internet, LPG gas, waste management facilities, and river normalisation.
“Previously there was another issue relating to rice fields and plantations that were also affected, as well as fish farms and fisheries,” said Tito.
In the same forum, Tito expressed appreciation to the various ministries, agencies, and local governments (Pemda) for their synergy in post-disaster recovery. He assured that current reconstruction and rehabilitation development is showing positive progress, particularly regarding road access that is now fully functional, electricity that is available to communities, and petrol stations that are operating normally.
“If markets are all moving, roads are functioning, but small and medium enterprises have not fully recovered yet. We still have tasks ahead including mud clearance, bridge repairs, village roads, and areas we need to complete,” concluded Tito.
The meeting was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Djamari Chaniago, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Territorial Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, as well as representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, and local governments.