Government Focuses on Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs in Sumatra
By: Nimas Ayu
The central government is ensuring swift and coordinated action in addressing the floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The disasters, triggered by extreme weather and the impact of Tropical Cyclone Senyar, are a test of national preparedness in protecting the public. Through President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions, all national resources are mobilized to accelerate the emergency response phase while preparing for a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, emphasized that the President’s order serves as the basis for mobilizing across ministries, institutions, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and local governments. Pratikno’s statement regarding the deployment of national forces to ease the burden on the community was conveyed in the form of a request to mobilize all national forces during the emergency response phase to ease the burden on residents.
Pratikno also stated that relevant ministries and institutions are already on site to accelerate the restoration of public services and vital access. The statement that all ministries and institutions were making every effort to assist the community was conveyed by stating that these efforts were being carried out in conjunction with local governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri). Furthermore, a joint visit by the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to several regions provided important momentum to strengthen integrated coordination.
In a follow-up meeting at Silangit Airport in North Tapanuli, Pratikno reiterated the need to accelerate emergency response. The statement that all national resources must be utilized to expedite evacuation, logistics, refugee protection, healthcare, and infrastructure recovery was conveyed by stating that these measures were ordered to be implemented immediately. The government ensured that the community’s basic needs were met and that aid distribution continued to flow, as reported by relevant parties.
Pratikno emphasized that rehabilitation and reconstruction scenarios had been prepared in parallel with emergency response efforts. The statement that rehabilitation and reconstruction scenarios were on standby, although the primary focus remained on the disaster emergency, underscored the government’s commitment to dual-track action: rapid response and long-term recovery. The provision of temporary housing was a priority, as conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, who emphasized the need to accelerate temporary housing while awaiting the construction of permanent housing.
Pratikno expressed his appreciation for the authorities and volunteers, stating that the hard work of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Indonesian National Police (Polri), and local government personnel was highly appreciated for their efforts in building temporary shelters and managing the situation on the ground. In the context of synergy, the statement that resources must be mobilized and coordination maintained on the ground was conveyed through the government’s full support for cross-sector synergy.
Amidst various challenges, particularly the difficulty of deploying heavy equipment due to terrain conditions, he emphasized that these obstacles did not hinder the state’s commitment to continuing to assist affected communities. On the same occasion, Pratikno emphasized the importance of learning from this disaster to strengthen national preparedness in the future.
The Ministry of Public Works (PUPR) is also carrying out strategic tasks by accelerating the opening of road access in a number of affected areas. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized the priority of opening road access, stating that this opening of access is considered paramount to ensure timely aid delivery. Instructions to withdraw heavy equipment from regular projects and redirect it to disaster areas were also conveyed, stating that orders to divert heavy equipment from regular projects had been issued, with the emphasis being placed on mandatory compliance.
The deployment of heavy equipment is considered vital to quickly reconnect isolated areas and prevent potential social disruption. Dody also stated that without open access, aid for clothing, food, and clean water would be delayed, making access management the focus of the team in the field. The statement regarding the unscheduled visit, so as not to disrupt the concentration of field officers, was conveyed in the form of a statement that the decision to postpone the visit was made to maintain the team’s focus.
