The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has officially permitted communities impacted by recent flash floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to utilize accumulated driftwood for reconstruction efforts. This crucial humanitarian initiative aims to accelerate recovery and provide vital resources to those most affected by the natural disaster.
Lestari Laksmi Wijayanti, the Director General of Forest Management at Kemenhut, emphasized that the collected driftwood can serve as essential construction material for rebuilding homes, public facilities, and vital infrastructure. “This represents a humanitarian step designed to help communities get back on their feet,” Laksmi stated in a written release on Monday, December 22, 2025.
This enabling policy is firmly rooted in a circular letter issued by the Directorate General of Sustainable Forest Management (PHL) on December 8, 2025. Titled “Utilization of Driftwood for Post-Flood Disaster Recovery,” the directive underscores the government’s commitment to immediate and sustainable rehabilitation. The circular, personally signed by Director General PHL Laksmi Wijayanti and acknowledged by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki, was promptly dispatched to the governors of the three affected provinces. Laksmi reiterated, “Since December 8, we have distributed this circular, and we wish to re-emphasize that the utilization of driftwood is solely for emergency disaster response, rehabilitation, and comprehensive post-disaster recovery.”
Crucially, while the utilization of driftwood is encouraged, it must strictly adhere to existing legal frameworks. The Ministry of Forestry is committed to ensuring that the entire process aligns with the provisions of Law No. 18 of 2013, which pertains to the prevention and eradication of forest destruction. Laksmi explained, “Driftwood can be categorized as ‘found wood.’ Therefore, its management must uphold the fundamental principles of legality, traceability, and trackability. We are resolute in preventing any potential misuse of this well-intentioned policy.”
To ensure transparency and prevent exploitation during this critical period, the government has temporarily suspended the utilization and transportation of roundwood in the three flood-affected provinces. This stringent measure is designed to proactively combat illegal logging and curb any attempts at timber laundering that might seek to capitalize on the disaster situation. “We have temporarily halted the utilization and transport of roundwood to close any loopholes for illegal practices. The state is present, firm, and fair in addressing this situation,” Laksmi affirmed. She further detailed that the distribution and utilization of driftwood will be managed in an integrated manner and subjected to rigorous supervision. The Ministry of Forestry is actively collaborating with provincial, district, and municipal governments, alongside law enforcement agencies, to guarantee that this policy is effectively targeted, impervious to misuse, and ultimately accelerates the vital post-disaster recovery efforts.
Summary
The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has granted permission for communities impacted by recent flash floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to utilize accumulated driftwood. This humanitarian measure aims to accelerate post-disaster recovery by providing essential construction material for rebuilding homes, public facilities, and vital infrastructure. The policy is firmly rooted in a circular letter issued on December 8, 2025, specifically for post-flood disaster recovery efforts.
Kemenhut emphasizes that driftwood utilization must strictly adhere to existing legal frameworks, particularly Law No. 18 of 2013, to ensure legality and traceability. To prevent potential misuse and illegal logging, the government has temporarily suspended the utilization and transportation of roundwood in the affected provinces. The Ministry of Forestry is collaborating with local governments and law enforcement agencies to ensure integrated and rigorously supervised distribution of the driftwood.