“We have a one-month target until December 31. This is the emergency response phase,” Deputy Minister Fauzan told lawmakers during a hearing with the House of Representatives' (DPR RI's) Commission X on Monday.
He said the emergency response focuses on urgent needs, logistics distribution, emergency health services and basic support to save lives and enable early recovery.
As of December 6, the ministry recorded 60 universities affected across Sumatra. They include four state and 27 private universities in Aceh; one state and 13 private universities in North Sumatra; and nine state and six private universities in West Sumatra.
Fauzan said teaching and learning activities were largely suspended because of access problems, damaged facilities and the evacuation of academic staff and students.
Beyond the emergency phase, the ministry is preparing a recovery plan for all disaster impacts in Sumatra, scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The recovery phase will include medium-term rehabilitation, sustainable economic programs, sanitation reconstruction and disaster-mitigation education to strengthen long-term resilience, he said. Infrastructure repairs, including damaged bridges, will also be supported.
Deputy Minister Stella Christie earlier emphasized the importance of universities’ involvement in assisting residents affected by disasters such as the recent floods.
“As a form of support, we have allocated Rp50 billion (US$2.9 million) for the academic community to help flood victims. This is concrete action from our campuses,” she said.
The assistance is open to all universities in Sumatra affected by the floods. Each approved proposal may receive up to Rp500 million (US$29,000) in funding from the ministry.
Related news: Govt readies Rp75.9 bln fund for flood-affected students, lecturers
Related news: Indonesian ministry mobilizes university resources for Sumatra relief
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
