Sumatra Post-Disaster Task Force Ensures Continued Oversight of Infrastructure Recovery
The Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR) has confirmed that various projects involving the repair of roads, bridges, embankments, and river control systems in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra—which were impacted by hydrometeorological disasters late last year—remain on track to meet targets. These efforts aim to provide enhanced protection for local communities.
Monitoring of the infrastructure recovery is being conducted by the Satgas PRR in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works’ regional offices, local governments, and project contractors to directly oversee progress at several priority sites. In addition to monitoring progress, the Task Force is identifying field obstacles, ranging from material requirements and land acquisition to the fuel supply for heavy machinery used in the rehabilitation and reconstruction processes.
Muhammad Tito Karnavian, Chairman of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Satgas PRR, stated that rebuilding basic infrastructure such as rivers, roads, and bridges is a vital component of the permanent recovery process across the three affected provinces. “The priority has been set for infrastructure, including rivers, roads, bridges, trade, and agriculture. Furthermore, permanent housing is essential so that residents do not have to remain in temporary shelters for too long,” Tito remarked following a meeting with the Satgas PRR Steering Committee Chairman, Pratikno, in Jakarta.
In several locations within Central Aceh, work on landslide mitigation, slope reinforcement, road repairs, and the construction of retaining walls is showing continuous progress. The Task Force has requested that all work at critical points be completed more rapidly to ensure that primary access routes are not disrupted again when rainfall increases towards the end of the year.
Acceleration is also underway for various road and bridge projects connecting the Central Aceh and Gayo Lues regions. Several sections previously heavily damaged by landslides are currently being addressed, while river normalisation and embankment reinforcement are being carried out in an integrated manner to reduce the risk of recurring damage.
The Task Force emphasised the importance of synergy between road infrastructure development and river flow control to ensure the long-term durability of the recovery efforts. In Gayo Lues, attention is being directed towards the construction of river protection embankments designed to protect residential areas and productive agricultural land. Given the high intensity of rainfall in the area, the Task Force has requested that works originally targeted for completion in August be accelerated to provide immediate protection to residents before the peak of the rainy season.
In the Ketambe area, East Aceh Regency, the Task Force directly inspected the construction of flood control embankments, roads, and bridges that serve as primary community access. Despite facing various technical challenges in the field, workers are continuing to accelerate progress, even working into the night, to maintain completion targets.
The efforts of the Satgas PRR serve as evidence of the commitment of all parties to ensure that community activities, logistics distribution, and economic mobility can return to normal. During a meeting with the East Aceh Regency Government and regional leadership coordination forums (Forkopimda), the Task Force received various inputs regarding the need for public service recovery, including proposals for repairing health facilities in affected areas.
All feedback will be followed up through coordination with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure a comprehensive recovery process that addresses the needs of the community on the ground. In Kutagaluh Village, Lawe Bulan District, the results of river wall reinforcement have begun to provide a sense of security for residents. The village government expressed appreciation for the embankment construction, which has helped alleviate community concerns regarding the threat of subsequent flooding.