Rp 1.8 Trillion in Social Assistance for Sumatran Flood Victims: Gus Ipul Says Aid Targets 1.7 Million Beneficiary Families
The Ministry of Social Affairs has begun distributing regular first-quarter social assistance comprising the Family Hope Programme (PKH) and staple food aid to more than 1.7 million beneficiary families (KPM) in the flood-affected provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
“The first component is regular social assistance for the three provinces, which we have been distributing since early February,” said Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) in a statement on Wednesday (18 February 2026).
He made the remarks during a Coordination Meeting of the Task Force for Accelerated Post-Flood Disaster Recovery in Sumatra, held at the Pustaka Loka Room, Nusantara IV Building, House of Representatives (DPR RI), Jakarta, on Wednesday.
The total budget for regular PKH and staple food social assistance across the three provinces amounts to Rp 1,832,738,125,000.
“This is directed at more than 1.7 million beneficiary families across the three provinces — Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra,” he said.
In addition to regular social assistance, the Ministry of Social Affairs is also distributing disaster-specific or adaptive social assistance, ranging from logistical support and communal kitchens to rehabilitation and reconstruction support comprising condolence payments, living allowances, household furnishings, and economic recovery aid.
“We have already begun distributing to next of kin, for household furnishings as well as living allowances, and this will now be followed by economic and social recovery support. We are following the National Disaster Management Agency’s (BNPB) distribution schedule. BNPB distributed last week, and we will follow shortly after,” he explained.
On this occasion, Gus Ipul also outlined the mechanism for post-disaster social assistance distribution in Sumatra. First, BNPB national data serves as the initial reference. This is followed by the establishment of a By Name By Address (BNBA) register by the relevant regional heads — regents or mayors — which is also co-signed by the district police chief, district prosecutor, and military district commander.
A validation and approval process then follows, submitted to the Home Affairs Minister in his capacity as Task Force Chairman. Based on the data and verification, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributes assistance according to the types and schemes established.
During and after distribution, the Ministry of Social Affairs works with local governments, distribution agents, and support personnel to provide distribution assistance for data verification, monitoring, and reporting purposes.
“Together with local governments and distribution agents, accompanied by our colleagues from Tagana [Disaster Preparedness Volunteers], PKH facilitators, Karang Taruna [youth organisations], and other social pillars, we carry out data verification, aid monitoring, and finally reporting and documentation,” said Gus Ipul.
Furthermore, Gus Ipul reported on the progress of post-disaster social assistance distribution in Sumatra. To date, 29 of 53 affected districts and municipalities have been validated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and are ready for disbursement.
“Our budget requirement will ultimately exceed Rp 2 trillion. Of that, more than Rp 600 billion is already prepared using a special budget line under a Presidential Directive. We are grateful for the support and assistance from the State Secretary Minister,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, who also chairs the Task Force for Accelerated Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, urged prompt realisation of the individual social assistance budget.
“First, a daily meal allowance of Rp 15,000, then Rp 3 million for household furnishings, and stimulus funds for economic recovery from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Social Affairs,” said Tito.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Housing and Settlement Minister Maruarar Sirait, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, as well as other ministers, heads of agencies, and DPR leadership.