Indonesia government estimates Rp 51.82 trillion needed to restore disaster-hit regions in Sumatra

Provisional government assessments show that more than Rp 51.82 trillion (S$4 billion) will be required to restore conditions in Aceh, Sumatra Utara and Sumatra Barat to their pre-disaster state.

According to reports by CNBC Indonesia, the estimate covers rehabilitation and reconstruction across housing, infrastructure and essential services.

BNPB Chief Suharyanto stated that the current figure is based on calculations by the Ministry of Public Works regarding damage caused by the widespread floods and landslides. He noted that the assessment remains provisional and will be updated as data collection continues.

Aceh requires the largest share of funding, with an estimated Rp25.41 trillion needed for full recovery. 

This estimate was presented during a coordination meeting with President Prabowo Subianto in Aceh on 7 December 2025.

Suharyanto said that two districts in Aceh remain isolated and have suffered severe impacts. 

A national road section is still cut off, delaying access for logistics and emergency operations.

Communication services have largely recovered in 15 of 17 districts and cities in Aceh, partly supported by Starlink WiFi networks. “There are no areas entirely without communication,” he said, as quoted by Bisnis.com.

Electricity restoration in Aceh has reached about 81%. Housing damage is extensive, with 37,546 units reported across categories ranging from heavy damage to minor impact.

In Sumatra Utara, two districts remain isolated out of 17 affected. However, communications infrastructure has been fully restored, with electricity supply also showing significant improvement.

Suharyanto explained that Sumatra Utara requires an estimated Rp 12.88 trillion (S$1 billion) for rehabilitation and reconstruction. He added that this number is still being refined by BNPB teams on the ground.

Sumatra Barat faces similar conditions, with two districts still requiring special attention. Communication and electricity have reached full restoration across the province.

The Ministry of Public Works estimates that Sumatra Barat will require Rp 13.52 trillion (S$1 billion) to restore conditions to their pre-disaster levels. This includes repairs to public facilities, economic infrastructure and community housing.

President Prabowo Subianto emphasised that the government has adequate capacity to carry out the required recovery efforts. “Our capability exists, and we will proceed carefully with proper management,” he said during the meeting, as cited by Bisnis.com.

Prabowo said he had inspected several critical sites, including damaged bridges being repaired by the Ministry of Public Works and the army. He noted serious conditions in agricultural areas, including damaged fields and irrigation networks.

He highlighted that many dams had suffered significant breaches, affecting both major and minor water systems. Prabowo also underscored the importance of rebuilding homes for affected residents, stating that government support is essential.

Overall, he recognised that response measures have been intensive and responsive.
However, he acknowledged that some regions still face challenges due to difficult terrain and ongoing weather conditions.

BNPB said fatalities have risen to 961 across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra as of 8 December, 2025.

Agam recorded 179 deaths, followed by Aceh Utara 138, Tapanuli Tengah 110 and Tapanuli Selatan 85.

BNPB also listed 235 people missing and about 5,000 injured. Suharyanto noted Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah remain among the most severely affected districts. He said 232 areas in Bener Meriah and 295 villages in Aceh Tengah were impacted.