BANDA ACEH - The Aceh Secretariat of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) stated that the flash flood and landslide disasters in three provinces in Sumatra met the indicators to be designated as a national disaster status.
"In the context of national law, the ecological disasters in the three provinces have met the indicators as national disasters as stipulated in Article 7 paragraph (2) Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management," said Sepriady Utama, Head of the Aceh Human Rights Commission Secretariat, in Banda Aceh, Tuesday, December 16.
In the law, he said, it was stated that the determination of the status and level of national and regional disasters contained indicators including the number of victims, property losses; damage to infrastructure and facilities; the wide coverage of disaster-affected areas and the social and economic impacts caused.
The designation as a national disaster can be carried out if there are a large number of victims, significant material losses, the scope of the affected area is wide across regions, public service and government functions are disrupted, and the ability of the region to handle disasters decreases.
On the other hand, continued Sepriady, the Aceh Government has also asked for the assistance of two UN agencies, namely the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF to be involved in post-disaster handling in Aceh.
Therefore, while still appreciating what the central government, TNI, Polri, BNPB, BPBD/BPBA and local governments have done.
"In order to accelerate the handling of ecological post-disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, the government needs to immediately determine the status of a national disaster," he said.
Sepriady explained, the Chairperson of Komnas HAM stated that the ecological disaster in Sumatra provided confirmation that the management of Natural Resources (SDA), disaster risk mitigation, and governance of development cannot be separated from respect for human rights.
The impact of the disaster is very significant, including thousands of people losing their homes, access to clean water, health services, educational facilities, houses of worship, destruction of infrastructure (such as bridges, roads, telecommunications networks, electricity) and support for basic needs are cut off, and many families live in a situation of limited displacement.
Then, from December 8 to 11, 2025, Komnas HAM has observed the disaster situation in Pidie Regency, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, and other areas that are categorized as severely affected by disasters.
"Observations are focused on the condition of survivors at evacuation points, especially vulnerable groups, as well as identifying and ensuring the fulfillment of basic rights remains a major concern," he said.
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Based on BNPB data as of Monday (15/12), 52 regencies/cities from three provinces were affected with 1,022 people dead, 206 people missing, 7,000 people injured, 182,241 houses damaged, 1,600 public facilities damaged, 219 health facilities damaged, 967 education facilities damaged, 434 houses of worship damaged, 290 buildings/offices damaged, and 145 bridges damaged.
He stated that, in accordance with principles 18 and 25 of the Guidelines for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, all internally displaced persons have the right to a decent standard of living under any circumstances, and without discrimination.
Refugees are entitled to basic food and clean water, shelter or housing, decent clothing, health and sanitation services.
Sepriady said that although the government has the obligation and responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees. However, international humanitarian organizations and other humanitarian actors also have the right to offer their services in an effort to help internal refugees.
Such an offer, should not be interpreted as an interference in the internal affairs of a country, but should be considered in good faith. Therefore, the approval of the acceptance of the offer of assistance should not be delayed.
"All relevant authorities must facilitate the free and open access to humanitarian assistance and ensure rapid access to aid providers," he said.
He added that the government also needed to immediately form an ad hoc body or task force for rehabilitation and reconstruction to facilitate, accelerate, and ensure the coordinated and sustainable post-disaster recovery process.
"It covers the construction of infrastructure, houses, health facilities, educational facilities, houses of worship, to the normalization of social and economic life in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra," said Sepriady Utama.
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