Recovery of Disaster-Affected Areas in Sumatra Requires Rp 51.8 Trillion

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The National Disaster Management Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, estimates that the budgetary needs for rehabilitation and reconstruction following the flood and landslide disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra amount to Rp 51.81 trillion. This budget requirement may increase as the data collection is not yet fully completed. Until now, the disaster response task force is still making efforts to restore the damaged basic facilities and infrastructure caused by the disaster.

The budget requirement of up to Rp 51.81 trillion is detailed as follows: Rp 25.41 trillion for Aceh, Rp 12.88 trillion for North Sumatra, and Rp 13.52 trillion for West Sumatra.

The Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto reported this during a limited meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on Sunday (7/12/2025). The developments in post-disaster management were also reported in the limited meeting.

Suharyanto revealed that in Aceh, there are three national road connecting bridges that are damaged and are currently under repair. Communication networks have also returned to normal in 15 out of 18 affected districts/cities. Currently, recovery efforts are still ongoing.

Regarding the electricity network issue, out of 23 districts/cities, 81 percent of them have resumed power. The electricity network is targeted to be fully restored by Monday (8/12/2025) at 12:00 PM WIB.

Improvements to clean water channels are still being pursued. According to Suharyanto, the distribution of clean water in disaster-affected areas in Aceh is still hampered because the water sources have also been affected by flooding. Regarding the supply of fuel oil, there are still areas that need to be supplied by air, one of which is Gayo Lues Regency.

Meanwhile, healthcare facilities have gradually recovered. Out of 65 hospitals, 58 have resumed operations. Similarly, of the total 309 community health centers in the flood and landslide-affected areas, 251 have returned to providing health services.

The number of damaged houses, ranging from minor to severe, has reached 37,546 units. Additionally, there has been damage to educational facilities, health services, road and bridge infrastructure, as well as to agriculture and community-owned plantations.

Suharyanto also reported that the logistical assistance that has been distributed from the post at Iskandar Muda Airport in Aceh has reached 166.8 tons. In addition, many other aids have been directly distributed to other regencies/cities.

In North Sumatra, Suharyanto reported that some areas in Humbang Hasundutan and North Tapanuli regencies remain isolated. Therefore, assistance still needs to be distributed from the air. Several access routes to the isolated areas are also being continuously restored.

Meanwhile, the electricity supply has almost fully recovered. Only the clean water supply has not yet completely returned, particularly in the South Tapanuli region.

In the West Sumatra region, Suharyanto stated that there are still two districts that require special attention, namely Agam and Pesisir Selatan. In these two districts, there are still villages and sub-districts that are isolated, thus assistance is still being distributed via air.

Nevertheless, communication access and electricity supply in West Sumatra are reported to have fully recovered. Only the supply of clean water has not yet recovered, particularly in 21 sub-districts across seven districts/cities in West Sumatra.

Meanwhile, logistical aid that has been distributed to various disaster-affected areas in West Sumatra has reached 98.8 tons.

President Prabowo Subianto, while opening a limited meeting, expressed positive attention towards the progress of post-disaster recovery. This includes the construction of a bailey bridge to reconnect disrupted access in Aceh, which is being carried out by the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the military.

"And I see that the work is progressing well, and it is hoped that within this week it will be operational so that the subsequent bridges can start to be opened," he stated.

He also paid attention to the numerous damaged rice fields, irrigation channels, and dams. In addition, he requested that regional heads report the damaged houses of residents that will be assisted by the government for reconstruction.

"However, in general, I see that our activities are quite massive and responsive. In some places, there are indeed still challenges because we also need to pay attention to natural conditions," he stated.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have forced 975,000 people to seek refuge. As of Sunday (7/12/2025), the number of confirmed fatalities has reached 921, while 392 others remain missing.

In addition to intensifying the distribution of aid in areas that are still isolated, the government has also begun constructing temporary housing in several regions that have relatively recovered. Some of the areas in question include West Sumatra and parts of North Sumatra.

"We will enter the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. Therefore, the approach will not be the same; areas that have improved can proceed first, and we will relocate the communities living in shelters to temporary housing," said Suharyanto.

To the President, Suharyanto proposed that the responsibility for the construction of temporary housing (huntara) be divided among several agencies, namely the TNI/Polri, BNPB, and the Ministry of Housing and Settlements. A design for the huntara, measuring 36 square meters, has been created with a funding requirement of Rp 30 million per unit. The estimated construction time is around six months.

"Our concept is that temporary housing is only for residence for no more than a year, after which individuals will be moved to more suitable permanent housing," he stated.

President Prabowo agreed that the development of temporary shelters requires coordination between the district/city, provincial, and central governments. He also requested that the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Forestry examine the status of land that has the potential to be used for the construction of temporary shelters.

"If necessary, HGUs (rights to cultivate) can be temporarily revoked or reduced. This is in the public interest, and it's more important," he said.

At the end of the meeting, President Prabowo requested that medical supplies be prioritized. Similarly, clothing distribution needs to be prioritized.

The President specifically requested that the textile industry in the country be mobilized to assist disaster victims. He also encouraged community groups to donate usable clothing.

Not only that, the President also reminded that the budget allocated for post-disaster management should not be corrupted. Therefore, he urged law enforcement officials to oversee it.

"We must manage all our resources as best as we can. There should be no misappropriation or corruption in any government entities. We need every penny, every capability, to assist the people. I remind all ministers, officials, and leaders to be vigilant, to examine your ranks, and the projects for which you are responsible. I do not want any parties to exploit this disaster for personal gain. I will take very strict action. Never seek profit in the midst of the people's suffering," he emphasized.

On that occasion, President Prabowo also expressed his gratitude to his staff from the central to the regional levels who have collaborated in addressing the post-disaster situation. "With cooperation and solidarity, we are able to face it," he added.