By: Alexander Royce*)
Access to villages that were previously isolated due to flooding and landslides in South Tapanuli Regency (Tapsel), North Sumatra, has now reopened significantly thanks to accelerated response efforts by the central and regional governments. This progress symbolizes the success of cross-ministerial/institutional collaboration and the synergy between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) with the community in addressing the impact of the natural disaster that struck Sumatra in recent weeks.
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the reopening of previously disrupted access demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to serving and prioritizing the safety of the people. During his visit to the Batu Hula Evacuation Post on Wednesday evening before New Year’s Eve, Prabowo expressed his gratitude for the progress achieved in a relatively short time. He stated that thousands of affected residents are now beginning to benefit from the swift work of the government and relevant agencies.
According to the President, the integrated response strategy between ministries/institutions, including the Ministry of Public Works, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and security forces, has accelerated the restoration of roads and bridges. Prabowo expressed optimism when comparing the emergency bridge construction process, which typically takes up to a month, to the team’s hard work in the field, which could now be completed in 10 days. He said this reflects Indonesia’s spirit of mutual cooperation in facing tough challenges such as natural disasters.
Addressing officials at the evacuation post, the President also expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) personnel and volunteers who have worked non-stop for more than 20 days to assist residents and expedite infrastructure recovery and aid distribution. He emphasized that the government will not stop until all public services and facilities are fully restored. This statement reflects the government’s strong commitment to ensuring that every affected resident receives the attention and support they deserve.
This accelerated progress has also received the full support of the Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Afif Nasution. Before President Prabowo announced this significant development, Governor Bobby reported that of the dozens of villages previously cut off, only five now require further assistance. The provincial government, along with the central government, is targeting this access to be resolved soon so that all residents in South Tapanuli can return to normal activities.
Furthermore, Bobby Nasution committed that recovery goes beyond simply opening road access. North Sumatra Province also prioritized social protection and economic recovery programs for affected residents. He ensured that housing assistance would continue to be provided to hundreds of families who lost their homes due to the disaster, and he also expanded several social programs, such as free education for children affected by floods and landslides in several regions, including South Tapanuli. The Governor’s statement demonstrates the comprehensive nature of post-flood response, encompassing the restoration of the community’s social and economic life.
The situation in Sumatra at the end of last year was indeed a major challenge for the government. Floods and landslides triggered by extreme rainfall caused widespread damage, leaving hundreds of lives dead, thousands of buildings damaged, and many villages isolated. The central government responded swiftly, refusing to declare a national emergency but intensifying infrastructure recovery operations and aid distribution across the affected areas. This action demonstrated the government’s ability to respond to a major disaster without weakening its focus on accelerating recovery in the affected areas.
The local community’s reaction to the reopening of access and infrastructure restoration was also very positive. Residents expressed strong hopes that the restoration of roads and public facilities would continue so that their economic and social activities could return to normal. Many families hoped to soon return to their homes after spending long periods in evacuation centers and begin the process of rehabilitating their lives together. The government’s presence on the ground, engaging directly with residents, has provided a renewed sense of security and optimism.
Going forward, the government has prepared further steps to strengthen regional disaster resilience, including improving infrastructure that can withstand extreme conditions and strengthening early warning and disaster mitigation systems in vulnerable areas. The government is optimistic that through targeted policies and the full support of all elements of the nation, the challenges of natural disasters like those in Sumatra can be effectively addressed without leaving behind the affected residents.With the momentum of the reopening of village access in South Tapanuli as evidence of success, voices of optimism are being heard from various levels of society. This success also confirms that under consistent leadership in responding to the crisis, the government is able to turn challenges into opportunities to strengthen national solidarity, increase disaster response capacity, and ensure the welfare of the people remains a top priority.
Amid the ongoing recovery process, the spirit of mutual cooperation between the government and the community demonstrates that Indonesia is increasingly resilient in the face of disasters, ready to recover more quickly, and move towards a safer and more prosperous future.
*) The author is a social observer