Two Aceh Regencies Implement Cash for Work to Accelerate Recovery
The initiative of the Minister of Home Affairs and Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Disaster (PRR) in the Sumatra region, Tito Karnavian, regarding the cash for work or paid community work scheme has begun to be implemented. Residents have collectively participated in the recovery process in Pidie Jaya Regency and Aceh Tamiang at the end of March 2026.
Cash for Work is the result of the Minister of Home Affairs’ Circular Letter Number 900.1.3/1084/SJ issued on 2 March 2026. In the letter regulating the policy on adjusting transfers to regions in the 2026 fiscal year budget for disaster-affected areas in Aceh Province, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, there is a clause providing post-disaster funding allocated for rehabilitation in post-disaster areas.
“I met with great ulama in Aceh. Their suggestion was gotong royong, cash for work as it’s called,” said Tito in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.
With this scheme, affected areas gain double benefits. In addition to the rehabilitation and reconstruction process proceeding gradually, the community also receives economic benefits. This is because they are involved collectively in environmental arrangement, while also earning income from the work carried out during the recovery process.
According to Tito, the cash for work approach is a solution to accelerate recovery while maintaining the purchasing power of disaster-affected communities. By involving residents directly, local governments can move faster to rearrange damaged environments without waiting for the entire procurement process to be completed.
The implementation of cash for work in Pidie Jaya Regency and Aceh Tamiang involves hundreds of combined personnel and local communities. They are focused on cleaning public facilities, residents’ homes, road bodies, and drainage.
In Pidie Jaya Regency, the PRR Task Force involves Satpol PP, Linmas, fire volunteer rescuers, and the general public numbering around 375 people. They collectively carried out cleaning in Gampong Meunasah Lhok (Meureudu Subdistrict) and Gampong Meunasah Raya (Meurah Dua Subdistrict) from 28 March to 4 April 2026.
Meanwhile, in Aceh Tamiang Regency, at least 400 local residents have started the action since 27 March 2026. The cash for work activity in this regency is planned to run until 2 April 2026.
The Head of the Aceh Regional Task Force, who also serves as the Director General of Regional Administration Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safrizal ZA, reported this activity to the PRR Task Force Chairman Tito Karnavian. According to him, community involvement certainly impacts the acceleration of improvements in flood-affected areas.
“Through cash for work, residents are directly involved in recovering their area while getting instant income to help their needs after Lebaran,” said Safrizal on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
Task Force Head Tito appreciated this activity as a strategic step in the rehabilitation process. Currently, funding is still sourced from the Ministry of Home Affairs budget. Nevertheless, he encouraged local governments to immediately prepare plans for utilising additional TKD so that it can be used to support the scheme.
Tito stated that the cash for work programme will be carried out for one month first to assess its effectiveness in supporting field improvements. After that period, the PRR Task Force will conduct an evaluation as the basis for determining follow-up policies. “We evaluate after 1 month the effectiveness of this community work. If effective, continue,” said Tito.
The community and various stakeholders are key to the success of accelerating post-disaster recovery. Through an approach that directly involves residents and adequate budget support, the rehabilitation process in affected areas is expected to proceed faster, more effectively, and provide economic benefits to the local community.
The PRR Task Force, established through Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2026, has the mandate to accelerate the recovery process so that community life can return to normal. This effort embodies the presence of the state in helping flood-affected residents in Sumatra. Recovery benchmarks cover various sectors, including public services such as health, education, and other aspects.