Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Bogor, W – Java. President Prabowo Subianto has established a special task force to accelerate post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in three Indonesian provinces – Aceh, West Sumatra and North Sumatra – following deadly floods and landslides that struck the region late last year.
The task force will be led by Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, with Lieutenant General Richard Tampubolon appointed as deputy head. Chief Human Development and Cultural Affairs Minister Pratikno will serve as chair of the steering committee.
"Given the widespread impact across three provinces, the president believes coordination will be more effective under the home affairs minister," State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi told reporters after a cabinet retreat at the Garuda Yaksa compound in Hambalang, Bogor, on Tuesday.
Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said the task force's core responsibilities include restoring damaged education and government infrastructure, rebuilding roads and housing, repairing health facilities, and ensuring the continuity of public services in disaster-affected areas.
President Prabowo did not set a specific deadline for the completion of Sumatra's post-disaster recovery, according to Tito.
Multiple ministries and agencies have been mobilized to support the housing program, including the Danantara Investment Management Agency. The national police have also contributed resources, while the Public Works Ministry has drawn up a reconstruction plan based on verified data on damaged homes.
Authorities have categorized housing damage into three levels – minor, moderate and severe or destroyed – to tailor assistance accordingly. For homes with minor and moderate damage, the government plans to consolidate aid so residents can repair their properties and return to daily activities, Prasetyo said.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the death toll from floods and landslides in Sumatra has reached 1,178, with 147 people still missing. More than 242,000 residents remain displaced.
As of early January, 11 districts and municipalities in Aceh and West Sumatra remain under emergency status following flash floods and landslides that hit the island in late November 2025. North Sumatra has lifted its emergency designation, BNPB data chief Abdul Muhari said.
Preliminary government estimates indicate Indonesia will need about Rp 51.82 trillion (approximately $3.1 billion) to repair disaster-related infrastructure damage across Sumatra. Aceh is expected to require the largest allocation, at Rp 25.41 trillion, followed by West Sumatra with Rp 13.52 trillion and North Sumatra with Rp 12.88 trillion. BNPB head Suharyanto said the figures could change as damage assessments continue.
The government plans to spend Rp 60 million to rebuild each destroyed home. Rather than distributing cash assistance, authorities will directly construct housing units to prevent misuse of funds. To control costs and avoid displacement, new homes will be built on the same plots as the destroyed properties, meaning evacuees will not be relocated, Suharyanto said.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowo-forms-task-force-to-speed-postdisaster-recovery-in-sumatr