Task Force Head Urges Acceleration of Sumatra Disaster Recovery and Boosts Inter-Regional Synergy

Jakarta – The Head of the Task Force (Kasatgas) for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Disaster in Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has emphasised that efforts to accelerate recovery from the impacts of hydrometeorological disasters in the Sumatra region are continuing through strengthened collaboration among local governments (Pemda). The central government, he said, is urging Pemda to assist neighbouring regions that have been severely affected and suffered heavy damage. “From the latest update this morning, three regions have already made commitment statements to help the affected areas, namely Simalungun, Asahan, and Pematangsiantar,” Tito stated during a press conference on accelerating rehabilitation and reconstruction post-disaster in Sumatra at the Presidential Staff Office, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3/2026). Furthermore, Tito explained that this collaboration initiative emerged following an additional allocation of transfer funds to the regions for accelerating disaster handling from the President amounting to Rp10.6 trillion. The budget is intended for the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, which will then be distributed to all regencies/cities in those three provinces, including areas not directly affected. Therefore, the central government is advising regional heads in areas that are relatively safe or unaffected but still receive budget allocations to be willing to channel a portion of their funds in the form of grants to neighbouring regions. This step is considered important to strengthen the capacity of regions with high levels of damage that face budget limitations, such as Aceh Tamiang Regency. “We hope that these heavily affected regions will have additional budgets so they can work to resolve the issues,” Tito clarified. In addition, he conveyed that the target for completing rehabilitation and reconstruction post-disaster in the three provinces is estimated to take up to three years. The development focus includes providing permanent housing (huntap), building permanent infrastructure such as bridges and roads that are currently still of an emergency nature, and restoring basic service facilities. “This process will take time that is not short, not just a few months, but could reach two to three years,” he concluded.