Head of the Task Force, Tito Karnavian, maps out the recovery of the Sumatra disaster.

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian is moving quickly to map the post-disaster recovery conditions in the Sumatra region. This was done after being appointed as the head of the task force (task force) for accelerating post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra based on the decision of President Prabowo Subianto.

The initial steps were taken through a cross-ministerial coordination meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jakarta, yesterday Thursday. The meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Deputy Chairman of the Task Force, Lieutenant General TNI Richard Taruli Horja Tampubolon.

Tito emphasized that mapping the conditions of the affected areas was the main foundation in formulating strategies for accelerating recovery. He divided the affected areas into three categories based on the level of recovery.

"We divide them into three groups, namely areas that are normal or close to normal, half recovered, and those who have not recovered," said Tito at a coordination meeting in Banda Aceh, Saturday, January 10.

Based on the results of confirmation with the regional government, it was recorded that 15 out of a total of 52 districts/cities affected in three provinces were still in the category of not yet recovered. Aceh became the province with the largest number of areas that have not recovered, while West Sumatra showed the highest recovery rate.

"After listening to the regent and the mayor, there are areas that we did not initially expect that needed special attention, and there are also those that we thought were still problematic but have recovered," he said.

Since the early phase of the disaster, the central government together with the local government and stakeholders has carried out massive emergency handling. These efforts include opening access roads, building emergency bridges, health services, and meeting the basic needs of the community.

As time goes on, most of the affected areas show positive progress. Recovery is marked by the return of the functioning of local governments, the opening of main road connectivity, the operation of health and education services, and the beginning of the recovery of residents' economic activities.

To accelerate recovery in the field, Tito proposed adding around 5,000 personnel from the TNI, Polri, and state civil apparatus (ASN). These personnel will be focused on helping clean up the environment, government offices, and public facilities.

"Recovery must be accelerated before Ramadan. If you enter Ramadan, the work will be much more difficult. So this period must really be accelerated," concluded Tito.