By: Putroe Siron*
The government continues to accelerate recovery efforts following the floods and landslides in several areas of Sumatra, entering the transition phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction. This step was announced at a press conference held at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base Integrated Command Post, East Jakarta, on Monday (December 29). The event emphasized that the recovery is focused on infrastructure repairs, restoring public services, and accelerating the normalization of community activities in affected areas.
The press conference explained that most affected areas in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have been directed to exit the emergency response phase. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, stated that more than half of the affected regencies and cities have entered the transition phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction. The status transition was said to have been made taking into account improving conditions on the ground, although vigilance remains to ensure public safety.
It was also reported that in Aceh Province, seven regencies and cities have entered the transition phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction, while 11 other regencies and cities are still undergoing an extended emergency response period. In North Sumatra, eight regencies and cities have entered transitional status, with eight remaining regions remaining in the emergency response phase. Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, 10 regencies and cities have entered the transitional rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, while three regencies and cities still require further emergency response. The extension of emergency response status in these regions was explained to ensure regional preparedness before entering the medium- and long-term recovery phase.
The impact of the floods and landslides in Sumatra until the end of December 2025 is said to remain significant. Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) shows that more than a thousand fatalities have been recorded, while hundreds of thousands of residents are affected across various regencies and cities. Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, stated that in addition to casualties, damage to infrastructure, public facilities, and settlements is a major challenge in the post-disaster recovery process.
To accelerate the restoration of regional access, the restoration of road and bridge infrastructure is a top priority. Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto stated that personnel and key weapons systems have been deployed to reopen areas isolated by floods and landslides. By the end of December 2025, 32 Bailey bridges have been installed at various points in Sumatra to replace damaged or severed permanent bridges. These emergency bridges are being utilized to facilitate public mobility and logistics distribution.
Support for infrastructure recovery is also being strengthened through the involvement of various ministries and institutions. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that housing construction for affected residents has begun and continues to be accelerated in collaboration with several state-owned enterprises. Thousands of temporary and permanent housing units are reportedly under construction, along with the rehabilitation of hospitals and community health centers in affected areas, so that communities can quickly return to normal activities.
Restoring basic services is also a key government focus. In the education sector, it was announced that teaching and learning activities are targeted to resume on January 5, 2026. Pratikno stated that emergency tents have been prepared as a temporary solution for schools that have suffered severe damage and are not yet operational. This measure is being taken to ensure that children in affected areas continue to have their right to education.
In the health sector, it was reported that all regional public hospitals in the affected areas have resumed operations. Of the 867 community health centers (Puskesmas) affected by floods and landslides, most have recovered and are ready to provide normal services. Only eight are still undergoing repairs, with recovery efforts continuing to accelerate to prevent the risk of post-disaster disease.
In terms of social assistance, emergency response has been strengthened through aid distribution by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono stated that Rp100.48 billion in aid has been distributed to the Sumatra region. This assistance covers food, family supplies, and operational support for public kitchens. In addition, post-disaster assistance in the form of temporary and permanent housing has been prepared, with cash assistance of Rp3 million per family to cover basic household needs.
Additional support is also being provided through the distribution of aid.Deployment of personnel from various institutions. Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian announced that 1,054 cadets from the Institute of Public Administration have been sent to Aceh to assist in cleaning public facilities, local government offices, and restoring administrative services at the village and sub-district levels. Meanwhile, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the National Police have deployed an additional 1,500 personnel to assist with environmental cleanup, regional security, and community assistance in the initial phase of rehabilitation.
To mitigate further disasters, climate and weather conditions are also being monitored. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has been asked to continue monitoring weather dynamics, particularly as the New Year approaches when rainfall tends to increase. Coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs is said to be continuously strengthened as a precautionary measure in disaster-prone areas.
Through collaboration across ministries and institutions, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), local governments, and community support, the post-disaster recovery process in Sumatra is expected to continue. With main road access returning to normal and public services gradually recovering, the social and economic life of affected communities is expected to resume sustainably.
)* Government Policy Observer