Calls intensify for national disaster status as floods and landslides overwhelm regional capacity.
Flash floods and landslides across Sumatra have pushed local governments to their limits, prompting urgent demands for national-level intervention. As damage escalates in several provinces, the Ministry of Finance signals readiness to deploy emergency funds once directed by President Prabowo Subianto.
Government Signals Funding Readiness
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that he is prepared to release emergency funds to support disaster response efforts in Sumatra. Speaking during the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy 2025 in Jakarta on November 29, he emphasized that financing would not be an obstacle once a directive is issued from the President.
Awareness Gaps but Immediate Commitment
Purbaya acknowledged that he was not yet fully informed about the operational details of the Pooling Fund Bencana, or PFB. Despite that, he reiterated a firm commitment to release reserve funds to alleviate the impact of the widespread flooding and landslides. His straightforward remark underscored the government’s willingness to act swiftly when needed.
The Role of the Pooling Fund Bencana
The PFB, established under Presidential Regulation No. 75 of 2021, was created to strengthen fiscal resilience in handling both natural and non-natural disasters. According to the Ministry of Finance, the mechanism allows the government to manage disaster risk financing more strategically by combining state and regional budgets, and by transferring risk to third parties through insurance of public and government assets.
Designed to Protect Vulnerable Communities
One of the core purposes of the PFB is to accelerate recovery while safeguarding communities most affected by disasters. This includes low-income and vulnerable households, who often face the greatest barriers to rebuilding after floods and landslides. The fund aims to reduce dependence on annual APBN and APBD allocations, enabling faster mobilization during major emergencies.
President Focuses on Ongoing Aid Distribution
President Prabowo Subianto stated that his administration’s immediate priority is ensuring aid reaches affected areas quickly. However, regarding the potential declaration of a national disaster, he noted that the government is still monitoring on-the-ground developments before issuing formal decisions. This step is crucial for determining the level of central intervention required.
Growing Calls for National Disaster Status
Various groups have urged the central government to declare a national disaster due to the severity of damage in regions including North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Many argue that the scale has exceeded the capacity of regional administrations, even though provincial governments have already declared local emergency statuses. Advocates assert that national status would unlock more coordinated resources and accelerate recovery efforts.
Coordinated Action Remains Essential
As flooding and landslides continue to disrupt lives across Sumatra, both Indonesians and Singaporeans watching regional resilience efforts can see the importance of timely, well-structured disaster financing. The government’s readiness to deploy emergency funds and evaluate national intervention highlights a crucial step toward stronger preparedness in future crises.
Sources: MSN (2025) , Antara News (2025)
Keywords: Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Pooling Fund Bencana, Prabowo Subianto, Sumatra Floods, Emergency Funds
