Governor Bobby Nasution announced Rp430 billion (US$27.2 million) for North Sumatra recovery, prioritizing infrastructure and housing as disaster-hit areas show signs of returning to normal.
"The funds will be spread across five priority sectors to speed up rehabilitation and reconstruction," Bobby told a coordination meeting at the provincial governor’s office in Medan on Monday.
The largest portion, about Rp275 billion (US$17.4 million), is earmarked for infrastructure, including repairs to roads, bridges, embankments, river normalization, water resources, and housing rehabilitation.
Other allocations include Rp36.8 billion (US$2.3 million) for education, Rp110 billion (US$6.9 million) in financial assistance to local governments, Rp6.9 billion (US$436,000) for health services, and Rp1.68 billion (US$106,000) for communications and information technology.
Bobby said the provincial government would reallocate some spending, including splitting education funds between infrastructure repairs and free tuition assistance for students in disaster-affected areas.
He also announced plans to build 200 permanent housing units with a total budget of Rp12 billion (US$759,000) for victims of hydrometeorological disasters recorded in late November 2025.
Each unit would be valued at Rp60 million (US$3,800), in line with central government standards, with final figures to be synchronized with data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
BNPB Head Suharyanto said the central government has prepared 5,951 permanent housing units in North Sumatra, along with road and bridge repairs, logistics assistance, and other essential support.
"Even though disaster status has been lifted, we will continue to assist recovery; no residents will remain in shelters during Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month," Suharyanto said.
Tito Karnavian, chair of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force, said most recovery indicators show conditions have normalized.
He noted, however, that several areas, including Tapanuli Selatan, Tapanuli Tengah and Tapanuli Utara, as well as Sibolga, still require accelerated efforts.
Related news: North Sumatra's Medan has returned to normal post-disaster: Minister
Related news: Indonesia restores Aceh budget transfers to speed disaster recovery
Translator: Muhammad Said, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
