Government disburses Rp703 billion in post-disaster aid for Sumatra

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has disbursed Rp703.01 billion in financial assistance to accelerate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses damaged by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra Provinces.

BNPB Head Suharyanto said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the assistance was primarily aimed at repairing moderately and lightly damaged houses as the government seeks to accelerate post-disaster recovery efforts across Sumatra.

“The progress of stimulus assistance transfers in the three provinces has reached Rp703.01 billion, comprising Rp621.21 billion for Aceh, Rp62.03 billion for North Sumatra, and Rp19.77 billion for West Sumatra,” he said.

He noted that spending on self-managed home repairs by residents had reached Rp505.61 billion, with significant physical progress recorded in Pidie Jaya, East Aceh, Bireuen, Binjai, Lima Puluh Kota, West Pasaman, and Agam.

In addition to financial assistance for damaged houses, the government has also prioritized the construction of permanent housing for residents who have lost their homes.

Of the 27,809 permanent housing units proposed, 14,897 have completed assessment and are ready for construction. Physical construction has begun on 1,055 units, with 841 completed and 214 still under construction.

Suharyanto said BNPB was urging local governments to accelerate administrative verification so that the remaining assistance funds in residents’ bank accounts could be disbursed in full as soon as possible.

BNPB is working with the Public Works Ministry and the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, as well as local governments, to ensure that rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts remain on track.

The agencies are optimistic that recovery efforts will meet their targets, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to strengthen disaster mitigation and preparedness on a sustainable basis.