President Prabowo Visits Devastated Aceh
President Prabowo Subianto has pledged accelerated post-flood recovery efforts during his recent visits to Aceh, a region in Indonesia severely impacted by devastating floods and landslides. The President's commitment comes as the country grapples with the aftermath of a natural disaster that has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction across Sumatra.
During his visit on Friday, December 12, 2025, and an earlier inspection on Sunday, December 7, 2025, President Prabowo expressed empathy for the affected residents and reiterated the government's full commitment to rebuilding. He visited areas such as Takengon in Aceh Tengah district, Bener Meriah regency, and Aceh Tamiang, where he met with flood survivors and local officials.
Comprehensive Recovery Plan Outlined
President Prabowo outlined a comprehensive plan for recovery, focusing on several critical areas. He vowed to rehabilitate thousands of hectares of farmland damaged by the floods and landslides, assuring farmers that the government would provide assistance and ensure food supplies from other regions. A significant pledge included debt relief for farmers whose agricultural loans under the government's microcredit scheme would be written off, recognizing the disaster as a force majeure.
Infrastructure repair is another cornerstone of the recovery efforts. The President committed to repairing all damaged bridges, restoring landslide-affected roads, and reinstating electricity in the impacted areas. He also appointed the Army Chief of Staff to lead a task force dedicated to overseeing bridge and agricultural repairs, highlighting the national priority placed on flood management in Aceh.
Devastating Impact of Recent Floods
The floods and landslides, which struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra in late November 2025 following high-intensity rainfall, have caused immense devastation. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the death toll has exceeded 1,000 people, with over 5,400 injured and 217 to 218 individuals still missing.
The disaster has displaced approximately 1.2 million residents, many of whom are sheltering in temporary facilities. The scale of destruction includes:
- 6,717 houses heavily damaged
- 4,671 moderately damaged houses
- 7,040 lightly damaged houses
- 1,200 public facilities damaged
- 219 health facilities damaged
- 581 educational establishments damaged
- 434 places of worship damaged
- 290 office buildings damaged
- 145 bridges damaged
Government's Ongoing Commitment
President Prabowo acknowledged the challenging conditions on the ground and apologized for any current limitations in immediate aid delivery, but stressed that all levels of government and officials are working tirelessly. He stated, 'We have deployed dozens of helicopters and dozens of planes; we will overcome this together.' The President's visits aim to ensure the acceleration of emergency handling and recovery, with a focus on effective aid distribution, resident evacuation, and restoration of critical access routes.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Debt relief for farmers is a crucial step! This will truly help them rebuild their lives.
Donatello
Visiting and pledging is one thing, but where was the preventative action? This happens every year!
Leonardo
It's commendable that President Prabowo is personally visiting and outlining a recovery plan, however, the immense death toll and displacement highlight a dire need for more robust disaster preparedness strategies in the long term.
Raphael
Talk is cheap. Let's see actual results and swift rebuilding, not just photo ops.
Donatello
While the pledge for debt relief and infrastructure repair is a positive step for affected communities, the article also reveals the staggering number of damaged homes and facilities, suggesting the recovery will be a monumental and prolonged challenge.