The Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, on Friday, informed that the coordination includes a review of the planned three-hectare permanent housing site, where 200 housing units are to be constructed.
The government is also preparing additional locations to anticipate further housing needs, as data collection and verification of affected residents in the field are completed.
According to him, several basic services are beginning to recover, and electricity is now accessible to the public, although still limited in some locations, Muhari noted.
Clean water from the Regional Water Company (PDAM) has also begun flowing, with quality monitoring still being carried out gradually.
Meanwhile, cellular phone and internet networks are now operational, although they still experience frequent disruptions.
Muhari added that rice supplies in the affected areas are secure, supported by government reserves and Bulog stocks.
He outlined that logistical aid continues to arrive from various parties, including the BNPB, banks, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), as of the 24th day after the disaster.
He ensured that the basic needs assistance is being distributed directly to affected communities through mechanisms established by the local joint task force.
The North Sumatra Disaster Management Operations Control Center recorded 367 fatalities as of Thursday afternoon (December 18). They are spread across 12 of the 19 regencies/districts affected by the disaster.
The death toll in North Tapanuli District stood at 36, followed by Central Tapanuli District with 131, South Tapanuli District with 87, Sibolga City with 55, Humbang Hasundutan District with 10, and Padangsidimpuan City with one.
Furthermore, Pakpak Bharat District has two deaths, Medan City with 12, Langkat District with 14, Deliserdang District with 17, Nias District with one, and South Nias District with one.
For Sibolga City, there are 1,232 residents still taking refuge in 16 evacuation points spread across seven villages, with the largest concentrations in North Sibolga and South Sibolga Sub-districts.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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