By Arlita Yanuar )*
 
The government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that the restoration of basic access in areas affected by floods and landslides in several provinces in Sumatra is swift, measured, and sustainable. The disasters that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra not only damaged physical infrastructure but also temporarily paralyzed social and economic activities. In situations like this, the presence of the state is crucial in restoring a sense of security and ensuring that people’s lives can return to normal within a short time.
 
President Prabowo Subianto has firmly targeted the restoration of affected areas to normal within two to three months. This target reflects the government’s commitment not to allow people to live in a state of emergency for too long. The focus of recovery is not only on repairing roads and bridges, but also on restoring previously disrupted community activities, from logistics distribution, health services, education, and local economic activities. The President also ordered the acceleration of post-disaster management, emphasizing the importance of building temporary housing for displaced residents so they have adequate housing.
 
The government’s concrete steps are evident in the Ministry of Housing and Settlements’ reported plan to build approximately 2,000 housing units for affected victims. This effort is bolstered by the deployment of approximately 1,000 units of heavy equipment from the central government, including trucks and excavators, as well as clean and drinking water tanks. The government is also preparing portable toilets to maintain sanitation in evacuation sites and is rehabilitating emergency infrastructure by constructing 50 Bailey bridges. Some of these bridges have been completed and are now usable, allowing previously cut-off land access to gradually reconnect, and residents’ mobility is starting to recover.
 
Regarding cross-sector coordination, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono prioritizes opening logistical access. According to him, road access is the lifeblood of the emergency response phase, as it determines the smooth distribution of aid and basic necessities. He emphasized that accelerated recovery can only be achieved through close collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and the community. The approach taken is not simply rebuilding damaged infrastructure, but rather building it with better quality, stronger, and more resilient to potential future disasters.
The estimated recovery budget requirement is approximately IDR 51 trillion to repair bridges, roads, and various public facilities, such as schools and Islamic schools, which serve as centers of social activity. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized the importance of synergy between stakeholders in this recovery process. The government recognizes that post-disaster management cannot be carried out by a single institution but requires solid coordination to ensure the community quickly regains access to basic services and safe mobility.
As a concrete manifestation of this commitment, the Ministry of Public Works has deployed hundreds of heavy equipment and supporting equipment to all affected locations. No fewer than 298 units of heavy equipment, such as excavators and loaders, have been operated, supported by 121 units of supporting equipment, including public hydrants, operational vehicles, dump trucks, and water tankers. In addition, thousands of emergency materials, such as geobags, wire gabions, and aggregates, have been distributed for temporary relief and structural reinforcement at vulnerable areas. This step demonstrates that the government is not delaying the technical work that underpins medium-term recovery.
In the housing sector, Minister of Housing and Settlements Maruarar Sirait explained that more than 112,000 housing units suffered varying degrees of damage. This data serves as the basis for the central government, regional task forces, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and local governments to develop targeted response strategies. The government has also identified safe relocation sites in three affected provinces: eight in Aceh, eight in North Sumatra, and five in West Sumatra. The determination of these locations was not rushed, but rather through careful consideration.
All response measures are being implemented in accordance with the President’s directive to work quickly, precisely, and with a safety focus. Key considerations include geological security, certainty of land legality, and proximity to the community’s social ecosystem. The government ensures that relocated residents retain access to schools, markets, health facilities, and economic activity centers so they are not displaced.from their social life. This approach is crucial to ensure recovery is not only physical, but also social and economic.
 
The steps taken by the government reflect the state’s presence amidst the crisis. The certainty of timeframes, the clarity of the division of roles between ministries, and the mobilization of significant resources demonstrate that restoring basic access in the disaster-stricken areas of Sumatra is a national priority. With consistent policies, cross-sector synergy, and community support, these recovery efforts are expected to return residents’ lives to normal and build stronger resilience against future disasters.
 
)* The author is a social policy observer
