RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon inspected several historical sites in Aceh Tamiang Regency affected by flash flooding last year, as part of efforts to restore cultural heritage and support the community.

During his visit, Minister Fadli inspected the Banuaraja Palace and the National Inspiration School, and distributed aid to residents impacted by the floods. “Seeing the spirit of the community, from parents to children, we are confident that we can recover, be optimistic, and recover quickly and strongly,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday, March 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The government distributed ready-to-eat meals, including rendang, and provided temporary shelters for residents whose homes were damaged.

Minister Fadli also engaged in dialogue with the community and inspected the temporary housing facilities prepared for residents. The support is expected to help restore daily activities, including education and the preservation of cultural sites.

He emphasized that the central government, local administrations, relevant ministries and institutions, and community groups will continue to work together to accelerate recovery in disaster-affected areas. The Ministry of Culture, he added, is committed to assisting the restoration of cultural sites while ensuring the sustainability of surrounding communities.

Through preservation, restoration, and community empowerment programs, the ministry aims to safeguard cultural heritage while supporting the welfare of communities as guardians of culture.

In December 2026, Minister Fadli announced that 43 cultural heritage sites at the national, provincial, and regency/city levels were affected by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. “So, there are around 43 affected in total,” he said.

Government data shows that 34 cultural heritage sites are located in Aceh, seven in North Sumatra, and two in West Sumatra. Some suffered minor to moderate damage, including the Putroe Balee Tomb, Sultan Ma’ruf Shah Tomb, Poteu Meureuhom Mosque, Putroe Sani Tomb, Daeng Mansur Tomb, Madinah Mosque, and Teungku Pucok Krueng Mosque, which were flooded.

In Central Aceh, the Toweren traditional house was submerged, while the Loyang Ujung Karang site was hit by landslides.

In North Sumatra, affected sites included the residence of Tjong A Fie, the Al Osmani Grand Mosque, the Al Mashun Grand Mosque, the Azizi Mosque, the Sri Alam Dunia Mosque, Bagas Godang Sipirok, and Bagas Godang Muaratais. The Bongal and Jago-jago sites in Central Tapanuli were also flooded, but the water has since receded.

In West Sumatra, the house of national hero Rasuna Said was affected by flooding, while part of the Sawahlunto–Teluk Bayur railway line in Pesisir Selatan Regency was damaged by floods and landslides.

The disasters also impacted 72 caretakers of cultural heritage sites in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. “They are the ones on the front line maintaining these sites day by day. Seventy-two were affected, but they are safe, although their homes were flooded and damaged,” Fadli said.

The Ministry of Culture has raised IDR 1.5 billion to support recovery efforts in the three provinces, with funds to be distributed through local cultural preservation offices. ***