Enviro News Asia, North Sumatra — The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, continues to intensify government assistance for communities affected by hydrometeorological disasters across Sumatra. Since early December, the ministry has progressively delivered humanitarian aid while restoring energy supply and infrastructure in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
In North Sumatra, the government has begun fulfilling its commitment to residents of Garoga Village, Batang Toru District, South Tapanuli Regency. As of Saturday, December 13, 100 tents had arrived and were handed over to the local government for immediate distribution. An additional 156 tents are en route from Minangkabau Airport to Batang Toru, with delivery delays attributed to air cargo queues and challenging terrain.
Head of the ESDM Disaster Response Team, Rudy Sufahriadi, stated that the ministry has deployed a wide range of emergency equipment to North Sumatra, including 10 generators, 77 air mattresses, five Starlink units, 10 jet cleaners, nine chainsaws, three boxes of emergency lamps, and a total of 256 tents.
Energy infrastructure recovery in North Sumatra is nearing completion. Authorities have restored operations at all 406 fuel stations, 383 LPG agents, and 46 LPG filling stations, while electricity supply has reached almost all customers.
To support economic recovery, the government is also following up on a policy to write off People’s Business Credit (KUR) debts for disaster-affected borrowers in Aceh and North Sumatra. President Prabowo Subianto announced the policy during his visit to Aceh on December 7, targeting farmers, fishermen, and micro-entrepreneurs directly impacted by the disaster.
In Aceh, the Ministry of ESDM instructed its disaster response team to establish and operate a public kitchen post in Bireuen Regency starting December 3. The facility has played a key role in meeting food needs for thousands of evacuees and affected residents.
Electricity restoration in Aceh continues to progress. Repairs to the Brandan–Langsa transmission line have reached approximately 85 percent and are scheduled to reconnect with the North Sumatra power system on December 17. The ministry has also deployed diesel power plants to strengthen electricity supply in Banda Aceh, adding a total capacity of 50 MW in stages. Additional units are scheduled to come online through January 2026.
Fuel and LPG distribution remains a priority, particularly for isolated areas. The ministry has implemented multimodal distribution strategies using land, sea, and air routes. In Aceh, gasoline and diesel stocks remain secure, while most fuel stations and LPG agents have resumed operations. Supply to northern Aceh is supported through shipments from the Arun LPG Terminal and overland routes along the west coast.
In West Sumatra, the ministry has also delivered on its commitments. A generator was installed at Suhada Mosque in Salareh Aia, Palembayan District, Agam Regency, enabling residents to resume Friday prayers. In total, 35 generators have been distributed across Palembayan District. Electricity, fuel stations, LPG agents, and LPG filling stations in West Sumatra have now fully returned to normal operations. (*)
