Post-Disaster Handling in Sumatra Becomes National Priority, Gov’t Uses All Potential, Powers

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno gives press statement at the Integrated Command Post for the Natural Disaster Management, Halim Perdanakusuma Military Air Base, Jakarta, Friday (12/19). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

The Indonesian Government continues to accelerate post-disaster emergency response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces. Updates on the measures taken were announced at the press conference held at the Integrated Command Post for the Natural Disaster Management, Halim Perdanakusuma Military Air Base, Jakarta, Friday (12/19).

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno mentioned that the cyclone disaster which hit the three provinces has made a significant impact on the victims, evacuation, and infrastructure damage. Pratikno mentioned that all social elements continue their hard work to recover the disaster-hit areas.

“The Indonesian Government and the people are working hard to restore the conditions and make them far better,” Pratikno said before the media.

Pratikno firmly stated that the Government has set Sumatra area as National Priority in disaster handling, is mobilizing all national resources and involving related ministers and institutions in the efforts to resolve all on-site problems.

“The Government has taken a serious measure by setting Sumatra area as National Priority, by mobilizing all national resources and powers of state ministries and institutions to resolve all on-site problems in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces,” Pratikno firmly stated.

Although the disaster has made different impacts on different regencies and cities, Pratikno said that various significant progresses are achieved due to hard work and cooperation of all national components. One of them is in the transportation sector which has succeeded in reconnecting most of national and provincial roads gradually, although some of them are limited in use and compel the road users to be extra cautious.

“So, heavy equipment, defense equipment, and various instruments for transportation infrastructure recovery are intensively mobilized to accelerate the recovery,” Pratikno confirmed.

Pratikno also explained that basic public services are restored gradually. Electricity is gradually made accessible in some regencies and cities, although errors may still happen in several villages due to damages in network and power poles. Communication network continues to be restored, supported by emergency devices, such as Starlink, walkie-talkies, satellite phones in remote areas.

Clean water service is finally available in many areas of West Sumatra and North Sumatra. Meanwhile, some regencies and cities in Aceh province still count on water distribution provided in water tanks, public hydrants, and emergency water facilities due to damaged piping system and polluted water sources.

In general, the oil and gas supply is gradually stable, but residents in some areas, such as South Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, and Bener Meriah regencies, as well as Central Aceh city still have to deal with difficulties in the distribution of basic necessities. “Airplanes and cargo helicopters are also mobilized to give assistance, including in transporting and distributing agricultural products from affected areas to other cities after being bought by the Ministry of Agriculture,” Pratikno said. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat) (AW/TM)