Jakarta, ThedailyID — Aceh Regional Task Force Head for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR), Safrizal ZA, served as a keynote speaker at the Post-Disaster Recovery Symposium on Aceh’s floods and landslides. The event was organized by Diaspora Global Aceh at the Gedung DPR RI in Senayan, Central Jakarta, and gathered hundreds of participants from Jakarta and Aceh to discuss strategies for accelerating recovery efforts.
In his presentation, Safrizal explained that the central government, through the PRR Task Force established in January 2026, has moved quickly to coordinate disaster response across 18 affected districts and cities in Aceh. He noted that the national task force is led by Tito Karnavian, who coordinates 26 ministers and agency heads to ensure cross-ministerial synergy in addressing on-the-ground challenges.
Safrizal emphasized that the regional task force in Aceh is designed to resolve operational obstacles swiftly so that post-disaster work can proceed in an accelerated and structured manner. Field issues are handled directly by the Aceh task force leadership, and if unresolved, they are escalated to the national task force head to secure rapid solutions from the relevant ministries.
He also highlighted the government’s focus on post-disaster economic recovery, which has been prioritized since late 2025. Programs such as cash-for-work initiatives, labor-intensive public works, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises are being strengthened to help affected residents regain income and restore local economic activity.
Drawing lessons from previous major disasters, Safrizal compared the current response to the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, when the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) was formed four months after the event. In contrast, the PRR Acceleration Task Force was established within one month through a presidential decree, reflecting a faster and more coordinated government response.
These measures align with ongoing recovery efforts in Aceh, including the transition from the emergency response phase to the recovery phase that began in late January 2026. The Aceh provincial government has declared an emergency-to-recovery transition status to accelerate infrastructure rehabilitation, restore connectivity, and revive the regional economy.
The symposium served as a platform to consolidate strategic ideas and recommendations from Acehnese diaspora groups, academics, and development practitioners. Their input will be submitted to the PRR Task Force to support the preparation of a master plan and action plan for post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction. The event was attended by senior Acehnese figures, including Mustafa Abubakar, Sofyan Djalil, Abdul Latief, Azwar Abubakar, and Surya Darma, alongside hundreds of participants from various sectors.
