Task Force Accelerates Driftwood Utilisation for Rehabilitation Efforts
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Task Force for Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) in Sumatra continues to accelerate the utilisation of driftwood as part of rehabilitation and reconstruction strategy in disaster-affected regions across Aceh Province, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar).
Muhammad Tito Karnavian, Chairman of the Post-Disaster Sumatra Rehabilitation Task Force, emphasised that driftwood utilisation represents a strategic step to expedite the reconstruction of affected areas whilst ensuring that available materials in the field are deployed optimally.
“In Aceh there is extremely abundant material. It is like an ocean. An ocean of what? Wood. So if you want to make it into firewood it’s easy, you can,” Tito stated in his remarks in Jakarta on Sunday.
According to Task Force data from 28 February, driftwood utilisation efforts have been implemented across several affected areas. In Aceh Province, North Aceh District has documented 2,112.11 cubic metres of timber being utilised for temporary housing construction. Meanwhile, in Aceh Tamiang District, 572.4 cubic metres of timber remain pending regional government policy decisions regarding its allocation.
In North Sumatra Province, South Tapanuli District is utilising 329.24 cubic metres of timber for temporary housing, social facilities, and public infrastructure development. In Central Tapanuli District, 93.39 cubic metres of timber is being used to support the recovery of residents’ homes.
In West Sumatra, Padang City has recorded 1,996.58 cubic metres of driftwood that has been handed over to the regional government for deployment according to rehabilitation and reconstruction needs.
This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Forestry Regulation No. 191 of 2026, which governs the utilisation of disaster-related driftwood as a material resource to support emergency response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. The policy provides legal certainty in managing timber swept by floods so it can be deployed effectively and in a coordinated manner.
According to Tito, optimising driftwood utilisation not only accelerates the provision of housing and supporting infrastructure, but also forms part of efforts to organise affected areas to make them cleaner, safer, and better planned.
With clear regulatory support and cross-ministerial coordination alongside local government, the rehabilitation and reconstruction process is expected to proceed more effectively and with better targeting.