Tito Praises DPR Task Force Support in Accelerating Post-Disaster Rehabilitation in Sumatra
Muhammad Tito Karnavian, head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, expressed his appreciation for the support of the DPR’s Post-Disaster Recovery Task Force in expediting disaster response efforts.
He stated that such support was vital for optimising the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Sumatra. Tito made the remarks whilst attending a Coordination and Evaluation Meeting with the DPR’s Post-Disaster Recovery Task Force and the Government’s Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force at Nusantara IV Building, DPR Complex, Senayan.
During the meeting, he presented the latest progress on post-disaster recovery in Sumatra. According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 17 February 2026, the number of displaced persons has continued to decline significantly.
The breakdown is as follows: in Aceh Province, the number of displaced persons fell from an initial 1,418,872 to 12,144. In North Sumatra Province, the figure dropped from 53,523 to 850.
“In West Sumatra, the number of displaced persons is now zero, down from 16,164. Some have returned home and received assistance — stimulus funds for lightly or moderately damaged homes — whilst those whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed are staying in temporary shelters or receiving housing waiting allowances,” Tito said in a statement on Wednesday (18 February 2026).
Tito added that the government, together with relevant parties, continues to work intensively to accelerate recovery, including on the infrastructure front. This encompasses the repair of bridges, roads, and other public facilities.
He further noted that disaster-affected areas across Sumatra each have their own distinct challenges. For instance, highland areas struck by landslides saw roads buried and bridges destroyed.
“They were cut off. That made logistics extremely difficult in the early days. In these mountainous areas, there had not been a disaster of this magnitude in decades. Their logistics systems could only sustain them for perhaps three days,” he added.
Tito explained that this was precisely why his team coordinated with the Minister of Agriculture, Amran Sulaiman, who also serves as head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), as well as with Perum Bulog. The coordination was carried out to ensure adequate food stocks and logistics supplies in disaster-affected areas.
Also present at the meeting were DPR Deputy Speakers Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Sari Yuliati, Saan Mustopa, and Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal; DPR leaders; State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi; Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa; and other relevant ministers of the Merah Putih Cabinet.