By: Citra Kurnia Khudori)
Natural disasters that have struck several regions in Sumatra have damaged infrastructure, ranging from roads and bridges to vital public facilities. This damage has not only disrupted economic activities and basic services, but has also become a determining factor in the speed of recovery for affected communities.
In the context of post-disaster recovery, the development of strategic infrastructure cannot be separated from the most basic needs of the community. Road access, connecting bridges, and public facilities are prerequisites to ensure that the distribution of aid, healthcare services, and local economic activities can resume.
The government has therefore reaffirmed its commitment to preparing infrastructure recovery measures in a planned, measurable, and sustainable manner. These efforts are crucial so that the rehabilitation process does not merely rebuild what has been damaged, but also strengthens regional resilience against future disaster risks.
Some time ago, President Prabowo Subianto outlined a number of the government’s strategic steps to accelerate the recovery of basic infrastructure and improve public services. These measures are supported by the allocation of special budgets to strengthen village facilities and regional infrastructure.
President Prabowo stated that these funds were made available through savings at the central government level, so that as much assistance as possible could be channeled to the grassroots level, such as villages and sub-districts.
Regarding infrastructure damaged by disasters, President Prabowo emphasized that the government would immediately repair vital routes affected by flooding. This step is considered a priority because it has a direct impact on restoring regional connectivity and ensuring that community activities can return to normal.
Thus far, damaged roads and collapsed bridges have hampered the distribution of aid to disaster victims. With road access reconnected, it is expected that disaster recovery efforts can proceed more quickly.
In addition to basic infrastructure, President Prabowo also assured the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education services in affected areas. He further reassured the public that his administration would do its utmost for disaster victims.
These statements by President Prabowo were echoed by the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY). He stated that the government is prioritizing the restoration of connectivity, the handling of affected strategic infrastructure, the provision of water resources, health infrastructure, and detailed mapping of damaged houses in the three disaster-affected provinces.
AHY has coordinated with the Ministry of Public Works (PU) and the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas to ensure that these policies run smoothly. He revealed that he and other ministers have already identified damage in the field.
As the coordinating minister overseeing infrastructure and regional development, AHY emphasized the importance of tight inter-ministerial coordination, particularly in opening access, evacuating residents, rescuing victims, fulfilling basic needs, and restoring logistics routes.
Tactical measures on the ground are focused on evacuating victims, rescuing residents, and ensuring that no affected individuals are left without food assistance and other basic necessities. In parallel, the government is working to reconnect transportation routes, especially for the delivery of logistics and medicines to isolated areas.
Regarding the plans outlined by AHY, Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo committed to accelerating the recovery of national road access, bridges, river normalization, and the provision of basic services for affected communities across all disaster areas. According to him, restoring connectivity is a top priority due to the number of strategic routes severed by the disaster.
Following President Prabowo’s directives, he added, all resources of the Ministry of Public Works are being mobilized to ensure that land access is quickly restored to support community mobility, aid distribution, and recovery activities. For example, in Aceh, the Ministry of Public Works has moved to repair several road sections, including the Krueng Tingkeum Bridge on the Bireuen–North Aceh route, the Teupin Mane Bridge on the Bireuen–Bener Meriah route, six collapsed bridges along the Bireuen–Central Aceh corridor, subsided roads on the Blangkejeren–Southeast Aceh route, and road sections leading to Kutacane.
In addition, through the Aceh National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN Aceh), the Ministry of Public Works reported that several strategic routes are once again passable, including the Banda Aceh–Meureudu route, the Meureudu–Pidie Jaya–Bireuen route, and the Lhokseumawe–Langsa City–Kuala Simpang route. The Genting Gerbang–Celala–Central Aceh route has also been reconnected for two-wheeled vehicles.
Beyond the restoration of roads and bridges, the Ministry of Public Works has strengthened support for basic needs in evacuation centers. Trucks, water tankers, public hydrants, portable toilets, septic tanks, water tanks, and knock-down toilets have been deployed at several evacuation points.
Overall, the steps taken by the government demonstrate that post-disaster infrastructure recovery in Sumatra has been placed as a national priority agenda. Cross-ministerial coordination and budget allocation serve as crucial foundations to ensure that policies are effectively implemented on the ground.
Going forward, the greatest challenge is not only accelerating reconstruction, but also ensuring that the results of recovery are truly felt by affected communities. With strong commitment and consistent oversight, infrastructure recovery is expected to become the starting point for the revival of post-disaster regions.
*) Observer of Socio-Economic Issues