Indonesia says it will require more than $3 billion in reconstruction and recovery funds after catastrophic floods and landslides devastated large parts of Sumatra, killing nearly 1,000 people and leaving hundreds still missing. Senior officials confirmed the scale of the damage during a cabinet meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto in Aceh province.
According to government estimates, the island will need 51.82 trillion rupiah (US$3.11 billion) to rebuild critical infrastructure, homes, farmland and public facilities destroyed by the cyclone‑induced storms TRT World The Straits Times. The disaster has also affected neighbouring countries, with around 200 deaths reported in southern Thailand and Malaysia TRT World.
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said the recovery bill may rise as assessments continue across the three hardest‑hit provinces — Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. Aceh alone accounts for 25.41 trillion rupiah in required funds, making it the most severely affected region TRT World The Straits Times. North Sumatra and West Sumatra are estimated to need 12.88 trillion and 13.52 trillion rupiah respectively The Straits Times.
The official death toll has climbed to 950, with 274 people still missing, according to updated government data TRT World The Straits Times. Entire villages were inundated, rice fields and dams were destroyed, and thousands of homes were swept away. Drone footage from North Sumatra shows vast areas flattened by flash floods and landslides.
Authorities say reconstruction will begin immediately, but warn that the scale of destruction means recovery will take years. Temporary shelters have been set up for displaced families, while emergency teams continue search‑and‑rescue operations in remote areas.
The government has not yet detailed how the recovery effort will be financed, but officials indicated that a combination of national funds, regional budgets and international assistance will likely be required.
Indonesian-Cabinet-Merdeka-Palace-Picture-by-Picryl
