Govt Reports Strong Progress in Sumatra Recovery

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Significant progress continues in the recovery process across several regions in Sumatra. Government reports confirm that most public services have resumed operations and 97 percent of temporary housing has been completed.

Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, who also heads the Sumatra Post‑Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (PRR), said indicators show improving conditions in governance, health, education, and infrastructure.

“Several positive things have happened, including the completion of 97 percent of temporary housing. I reviewed the final results yesterday,” Minister Tito said at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) in Jakarta on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Government activities in affected areas are now almost fully restored. In Aceh Tamiang Regency, for example, operations disrupted by post‑disaster mudflow have returned to normal, with only a few village offices still requiring repairs.

Progress is also evident in the health sector. All hospitals in the three affected provinces are operating at full capacity, while most public health centers (Puskesmas) are serving the public as usual. “We appreciate the Minister of Health’s quick response,” Minister Tito said.

Teaching and learning activities have fully resumed. Of the 4,922 schools affected, most have been repaired and reopened, though around 34 schools continue to use emergency tents or borrow facilities due to severe damage.

Infrastructure recovery is advancing. All national roads and bridges are back in operation, though some local administration roads and bridges still require rehabilitation, particularly in areas hit by heavy rainfall.

Basic public services have nearly recovered. All gas stations are operating, and most markets have reopened, with only 13 still under rehabilitation. Electricity supply has been restored in most areas, though a few villages remain affected by limited road access. To address this, the government has provided generators and satellite internet.

Minister Tito highlighted temporary housing as a key achievement. In West Sumatra, residents have not lived in evacuation tents for nearly two months. In North Sumatra, tents reused after subsequent flooding in Central Tapanuli have now been repaired.

Most recovery targets have been met, but the government will now prioritize permanent infrastructure. “Our top priority going forward is to make infrastructure permanent. Regional roads and bridges that have not been repaired must be worked on, either by regional administrations or the central government,” Minister Tito said. ***