State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi said that President Prabowo Subianto visited several areas affected by the Sumatra disaster in West Sumatra Province on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Prabowo visited the Refugee Post of SD 05 Kayu Pasak Palembayan, Agam Regency. He wants to ensure the acceleration of aid distribution to the community.
"Today the President visited the provinces affected by the disaster. The plan for today is to visit several places. This is the first place, Selareh Aia, Palembayan, Agam Regency," said Prasetyo in an official statement from the Presidential Communication Team on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Prasetyo explained that the area is one of the most affected by the disaster. After that, Prabowo is also scheduled to continue the visit to Kayutanam, Padang Pariaman Regency.
"After this, the President will visit Kayutanam in Padang Pariaman Regency. Also, if the weather permits and supports, he will go to Lembah Anai," he said.
According to him, the visit to Lembah Anai is to directly see the completed and finished Bailey Bridge in the hope of speeding up the recovery process.
President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Minangkabau International Airport, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra Province, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 18:30 GMT+7. During the visit, the Head of State is scheduled to inspect several disaster-affected locations and ensure the acceleration of infrastructure recovery.
BNPB recorded an increase in the number of casualties from the Sumatra disaster on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Flash floods and landslides hit three provinces on the island of Sumatra, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Based on data as of December 18 at 06:20, the death toll from the three affected provinces reached 1,059 people. The death toll increased by nine people from the previous day's BNPB data.
The death toll from the Sumatra disaster is still potentially increasing. This is because BNPB noted that there are still 192 people missing or unaccounted for after more than three weeks of handling the Sumatra disaster. BNPB also reported that more than 7,000 people have been injured.
The highest number of casualties is recorded in Aceh Province. 451 people died as a result of the floods and landslides that hit the northernmost region of the archipelago. Around 4,300 people in Aceh Province also suffered injuries due to the ecological disaster.
In North Sumatra Province, BNPB recorded 364 casualties. 2,300 people suffered injuries. Meanwhile, in West Sumatra Province, the number of casualties reached 244 people, with 382 others injured.
BNPB also noted that 147,236 houses were damaged by the floods and landslides. Thousands of public facilities, including schools, bridges, health facilities, and places of worship scattered across these three provinces, also suffered damage after being hit by the floods and landslides.
Prabowo Subianto stated that the government will immediately build temporary and permanent housing for the victims of the Sumatra disaster. He received a report from the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Maruarar Sirait that 2,000 houses will be built starting on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
"These houses may immediately be permanent residences," he said during a full cabinet meeting at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, on Monday, December 15, 2025.
He claimed that the government has allocated funds and is prepared for the construction of these residences. The funds are available due to the budget cuts at the beginning of Prabowo's government. "We have saved hundreds of trillions," he said.
In addition, Prabowo plans to immediately establish a body or task force for the rehabilitation and reconstruction after the Sumatra disaster. He claimed that the disaster management situation is still under control. "We have mobilized for the handling. These are three provinces out of a total of 38 provinces, so the situation is under control. I am monitoring it constantly," he said.
Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to this report
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