Jakarta (VNA) – Post-disaster recovery in flood- and landslide-hit regions across Sumatra, Indonesia is nearly 70% complete, with 37 of the 52 affected districts and cities having returned to normalcy, Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian said in a statement.
As reported by the country’s national news agency Antara, Karnavian, concurrently serving as chair of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force, added that four districts are nearing a full recovery, namely Lima Puluh Kota and West Pasaman in West Sumatra, South Tapanuli in North Sumatra, and Nagan Raya in Aceh. Meanwhile, 11 districts still require special attention.
The minister further explained that the task force is focusing on several key areas, including mud clearance and the repair of healthcare facilities and schools, to ensure that teaching and learning activities can resume.
Repairs are also underway for religious education facilities, including Islamic schools (madrasahs) and Islamic boarding schools (pesantrens), as well as affected places of worship.
He highlighted the importance of restoring access, particularly roads and bridges.
"The economy must also be revitalised, starting with markets, then cafes, small stalls, MSMEs, shops, and hotels in several locations," he noted as quoted by Antara.
Karnavian added that other critical indicators of recovery include the restoration of essential services, such as electricity, fuel supplies, communication and internet networks, and clean water./.
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