Task Force Chief Tito: Distribution of Social Assistance in Post-Disaster Areas Will Boost Purchasing Power

The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mendagri) and Chief of the Task Force for Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) in Sumatera, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, believes that the distribution of social assistance following the natural disasters in Sumatera will have tangible benefits, particularly in boosting public purchasing power.

“The public receives money so they can shop. When there is shopping, there will be merchants. With demand, there will be supply, so supply can enter the market, trade can function, and the market can operate,” he said in a press statement on Monday (16 March 2026).

The statement was made by Tito during the Government Assistance Handover Ceremony for Natural Disaster Victims in the Sumatera Region at the Pendopo of the Regent of East Aceh, Aceh, on Monday.

On that occasion, he commended Social Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf, who had symbolically distributed assistance in East Aceh through PT Pos Indonesia.

Through this distribution of social assistance, the public is expected to utilise it to stimulate economic activity.

“And this is the same approach. All other regions are expected to do likewise. That is the purpose of assistance such as this,” added Tito.

He assured that this distribution of assistance would not be the last. If in the future more people in need are identified and their data can be verified, the government will provide additional assistance.

He noted that the disasters occurred in 52 districts across West Sumatera (Sumbar), North Sumatera (Sumut), and Aceh, with uneven conditions.

This has impacted the data collection process, making it difficult. Therefore, the PRR Task Force is conducting data collection in phases.

“If we wait until all the data is complete before distributing assistance or providing temporary shelter (huntara), the recovery process will take a long time,” said Tito.

For residents whose homes have been damaged, stimulus assistance is provided based on data submitted and verified by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

“For those who need economic stimulus assistance, furnishings, and food allowances, we send them as quickly as possible. After verification by BPS, we then hand over to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) for housing assistance, and to the Social Minister for individual assistance,” said Tito.