Tito's Disaster Recovery Acceleration Task Force Confirms Faster Post-Disaster Recovery in Pidie Jaya

The chairman of the Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force for the Sumatra region, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, visited Pidie Jaya, Aceh, to ensure accelerated recovery and the distribution of aid to affected communities. He emphasised that since the disaster occurred in late November 2025, the central government together with local administrations has mobilised a range of resources to address the disaster’s impacts. At the time, vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, power, and communications networks were disrupted. After nearly three months of recovery, conditions in various areas, including Pidie Jaya, were starting to stabilise.

‘In essence, over the past nearly two to three months there have been many changes. National roads are passable, electricity has been restored, internet connectivity is returning, and fuel supplies are likely available,’ Tito said in a written statement on Friday, 6 March 2026. ‘I clearly remember in Pidie Jaya the petrol stations were queueing long, and some even closed. Now I see it has returned to normal,’ he added.

However, Tito stressed that several tasks still need to be completed, particularly mud clearance following floods, sediment management of rivers, and repairs to damaged bridges and roads.

In addition to infrastructure, the government is giving special attention to the welfare of evacuees. The PRR Task Force aims for all evacuees to no longer live in tents before Eid al-Fitr. ‘Specifically for evacuees, we target that before Eid al-Fitr, none should be living in tents. We held a full meeting; the outcome is that all should be moved to huntara, temporary housing,’ Tito said. ‘Or they will be provided with the Dana Tunggu Hunian (Housing Waiting Fund).’

The government is also distributing various forms of assistance to affected communities, including daily living support, items to furnish households, and economic assistance for eligible recipients.

Tito added that Pidie Jaya Regency is one of the areas receiving the initial wave of assistance in large quantities because the local government was able to prepare recipient data quickly and comprehensively. ‘Actually the programme is being rolled out simultaneously in all districts—there are 52 across three provinces—because Pidie Jaya is the largest recipient of the initial aid. Why the largest?’ he said. ‘Because the regent was able to provide the most complete data first. Thank you, Mr Regent,’ he concluded.