Task Force States that the Recovery of Disaster Survivors in Sumatra is a Priority

This was conveyed by Pratikno after a meeting with the Head of the Post-Disaster PRR Task Force for Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Jakarta.

Pratikno explained that economic recovery for survivors will be carried out in parallel with various priority action plans such as river normalization, restoration of rice fields and fish ponds, improvement of logistical routes, strengthening community economic activities, and labour-intensive programs.

The scheme is designed to anticipate the follow-on effects of disasters such as further flooding due to rivers that have not been fully normalized. In addition, this step also aims to maintain community economic activity through labour-intensive programs that can absorb workers and increase the purchasing power of affected residents.

“We continue to ensure that the urgent needs of the community are met as best as possible. In addition, we must also facilitate the community’s economic life, starting from maintaining logistics routes, agriculture, fisheries, to trade and MSMEs,” said Pratikno in a written statement on Sunday (17/5/2026).

On that occasion, Pratikno emphasized that accelerating the repair of physical infrastructure is also a major focus during the transition phase of recovery. According to him, this step is important so that the repaired infrastructure is stronger in facing potential hydrometeorological disasters in the future.

“We must ensure that physical infrastructure does not become vulnerable when facing climate change in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Post-Disaster PRR Task Force for Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, emphasized that accelerating economic recovery and strengthening infrastructure are important steps. This is to ensure that affected communities can return to their social and economic activities normally, while also reducing the risk of follow-on disaster impacts in the future.

“Especially what we prioritize is infrastructure. As previously stated (by the Head of the Steering Team for the PRR Task Force, Pratikno), river normalization is a priority, followed by roads, bridges, trade, agriculture, aquaculture, and the economic sector,” said Tito.

Furthermore, Tito added that the PRR Task Force will also accelerate the construction of permanent housing in three affected areas so that survivors do not have to live in temporary shelters for too long and can immediately return to a more decent and sustainable life.

“Permanent housing is also important so that people don’t stay in temporary shelters for too long,” Tito concluded.