Maretha Uli, Jakarta – The government is aiming to complete the final phase of recovery efforts in disaster-hit areas of northern Sumatra within the next three years, allocating more than US$5 billion for infrastructure-focused rehabilitation and reconstruction programs.
Home Minister Tito Karnavian, who leads a task force established to accelerate the post-disaster recovery, said the government was now entering the rehabilitation and reconstruction stage following the massive floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Senyar that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra last November.
"We are now entering the phase toward permanent recovery. We call it rehabilitation and reconstruction, and the key is a master plan, which will compile input from all affected regencies, municipalities, provinces, as well as ministries and agencies," he said during a televised briefing at the Senayan Legislative Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday.
The stage marks the final phase of post-disaster recovery efforts following the emergency response period that has been underway since last year.
Survivors made homeless by last November's floods and landslides share on Feb. 19, 2026, a sahur (predawn meal) at an evacuation post in Batu Hula village, Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra. A total of 16 families from Huta Godang village who remain displaced received predawn meals from the evacuation public kitchen to observe the Ramadan fast. (Antara/Sulthony Hasanuddin)
The three-year plan, targeted for completion by 2028, will cover 11,512 infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, schools and permanent housing.
Tito said the proposed Rp 100.16 trillion ($5.63 billion) budget allocation had been approved by the government and received support from the House of Representatives.
Six months after the disaster, access had largely been restored across the three affected provinces, the minister added.
However, several villages remain isolated due to damaged roads and bridges that have yet to be rebuilt, while around 1,000 of the 4,900 damaged school buildings still await reconstruction.