BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, February 8, 2026 – The Aceh Provincial Government has requested over $9 billion in federal aid to rebuild after devastating floods and landslides swept across Sumatra Island in late November 2025. It’s a staggering sum, and a clear signal of the scale of the disaster-but will it be enough to truly restore Aceh?
9.09 Billion for Post-Disaster Reconstruction
The Aceh government formally submitted its Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan (R3P) to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on February 3, 2026, outlining a Rp153.3 trillion (approximately US$9.09 billion) budget.
- The proposed reconstruction budget totals approximately $9.09 billion.
- Funding is allocated across multiple levels of government and the private sector.
- The plan details damage assessments and recovery strategies from local to national levels.
- BNPB has begun verifying the administrative details of the proposal.
What exactly does a recovery of this magnitude look like? According to Muhammad MTA, spokesperson for the Aceh Provincial Government, the funding will be distributed as follows: Rp41.8 trillion for national ministries and agencies, Rp22 trillion for Aceh Province itself, Rp60.43 trillion for individual districts and cities within Aceh, and Rp29 trillion earmarked for the private sector and local communities.
What is the biggest challenge facing Aceh’s recovery? The sheer scope of the damage, coupled with the logistical hurdles of rebuilding infrastructure and supporting displaced communities, presents a formidable task. The R3P document, officials say, is a comprehensive compilation of damage data, loss assessments, and detailed recovery plans submitted by all levels of government.
A team from the National Advancement Planning Ministry (Bappenas) recently visited Aceh to coordinate with provincial authorities and ensure the R3P aligns with national development goals. Following the formal submission, BNPB has initiated a verification process, first reviewing administrative documentation and then conducting on-the-ground assessments of the proposed recovery projects.
“After the field verification is completed, BNPB will forward the results to Bappenas to prepare the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction program,” MTA explained. Recovery efforts are currently underway, coordinated by central, provincial, and local governments.
Aceh was one of three provinces on Sumatra Island-alongside North Sumatra and West Sumatra-that experienced severe flooding and landslides in late November 2025. As of February 8,BNPB records indicate the disasters resulted in 1,204 fatalities,with Aceh accounting for 562 of those lives lost.
The scale of the tragedy underscores the urgent need for effective and efficient aid distribution. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Aceh can successfully navigate the long road to recovery.
