Aceh Governor Extends Emergency Disaster Response Status Again

BANDA ACEH - Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf or Mualem has again set the fourth extension of the Aceh hydrometeorological disaster emergency response status for the next seven days, starting from January 23 to 29, 2026.

"I, as the Governor of Aceh, have determined the fourth extension of the Aceh hydrometeorological disaster emergency response status for seven days, until January 29, 2026," said Mualem, in Banda Aceh, Thursday night.

The decision was conveyed by Mualem in the fourth extension meeting of the Aceh hydrometeorological disaster emergency response status virtually (zoom), in the meeting room of the Aceh Flood and Landslide Emergency Response Post, at the Aceh Governor's Office, Banda Aceh.

In his decision, Mualem conveyed this extension based on the results of coordination with the central government and the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) letter dated January 21, 2026 regarding the extension of the emergency response status for disasters in Aceh.

This extension is also based on consideration of the conditions for disaster management and the distribution of affected victims. Then, a number of severely affected areas, namely the Regent of Aceh Tamiang, North Aceh, and Pidie Jaya, also reported that emergency disaster handling had not been fully implemented.

Mualem explained that this fourth extension was to ensure that environmental cleaning, distribution of logistical assistance, health services, and improvement of community access could be carried out more quickly, evenly, and coordinated, including reaching affected villages that were difficult to access.

"All SKPA, district/city governments, TNI/Polri, volunteers, businesses, and the community to continue to work together to accelerate Aceh's recovery, so that schools, settlements, public facilities, and the economy of the people can recover immediately and community activities return to normal," he said.

In his instructions, Mualem also gave special attention to the people in Sawang District, North Aceh. Because the area is still very urgent, and needs the construction of at least eight emergency bridges.

"In Sawang, the community really needs eight emergency bridges. Currently, residents are forced to cross the river manually. If the water discharge is low, it can still be passed, but if the current is strong, the residents' transportation access is completely cut off," he said.

In line with the determination, Mualem also instructed all SKPA and related stakeholders to immediately carry out strategic steps in the field.

With the main focus directed at intensive coordination with the ministry's Disaster Recovery Task Force and the completion of the cleaning of settlements, worship facilities, schools, and agricultural land of affected residents.

He also emphasized the importance of accelerating the distribution of logistics to isolated areas and the priority of searching for victims who are still missing, with the target of completing the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction documents (R3P) by February 2, 2026.

"I instruct all SKPA and stakeholders to move quickly. Ensure logistics reach the gampong-gampong that are still isolated and complete the cleaning," said Mualem.