Photo: Flash floods hit Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Saturday (29/11/2025). (REUTERS/Arif Nasution)
PADANG, JAKTIMES.COM – Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has urged the ускорation of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in West Sumatra following a series of floods and landslides that affected 13 districts and municipalities across the province.
The call was made during a high-level coordination meeting led by BNPB Secretary General Dr. Rustian at the Integrated Command Post, Governor’s Office of West Sumatra, on Tuesday (December 16).
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Rustian expressed appreciation for the swift response of the West Sumatra provincial government as well as district and city administrations in addressing the immediate impacts of the disasters, particularly in protecting lives and restoring basic community functions.
In the emergency response phase, a number of temporary infrastructures have been constructed to restore regional connectivity, including the installation of Bailey bridges, most of which are now nearly completed. The development of temporary shelters for displaced residents has also begun in several locations.
Although temporary in nature, Dr. Rustian emphasized that such emergency infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring mobility, facilitating logistics distribution, and enabling the resumption of social and economic activities in disaster-affected areas.
“Emergency response measures have been essential in restoring connectivity in affected regions. However, once the emergency phase ends, all efforts must be immediately directed toward well-planned and sustainable rehabilitation and reconstruction,” Dr. Rustian said.
As West Sumatra enters the post-emergency phase, BNPB stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) as a prerequisite for permanent reconstruction. The assessment will serve as the analytical foundation for evaluating damage and losses across sectors, including infrastructure, housing, public facilities, and livelihoods.
“The PDNA is the main basis for formulating a Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan, ensuring that recovery efforts are not reactive, but planned, measurable, and oriented toward medium- and long-term resilience,” he added.
BNPB highlighted the strategic role of local governments as the primary drivers of recovery, involving not only local disaster management agencies (BPBD) but also all relevant sectoral agencies in accordance with their mandates. Each local government body is expected to actively contribute data on damages and sectoral needs, with BPBD serving as the central coordination hub.
As part of the central government’s commitment, BNPB will provide direct technical assistance to local governments in preparing the PDNA and the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan. This process will involve academics and university students to ensure that recovery planning is participatory, data-driven, and aligned with on-the-ground realities.
The meeting was attended by West Sumatra Provincial Secretary Arry Yuswandi, representatives of local governments and BPBDs across the province, as well as other stakeholders involved in disaster management, both in person and virtually (Marwan Aziz).