Executive Chairperson of the BNPB Steering Committee, Ari Lesmana, explained that accelerating the development of temporary residences is essential to ensure that schools currently serving as evacuee shelters can resume their educational function in the second half of the 2025/2026 academic year.
“Our target is to finish the primary construction works before December 30, followed by the handover of housing units to residents. In this way, we aim to make schools operational by January 6,” he remarked in an online broadcast observed from Jakarta on Wednesday.
Lesmana pointed out that the agency has drawn up plans to develop a total of 518 temporary housing units in 16 locations across six sub-districts in Agam, one of dozens of regions affected by last November’s devastating floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
He added that, of the total, 117 barrack-style residences will be constructed in Salareh Aia Village, Palembayan Sub-district, the area reportedly hardest hit by the disasters in Agam.
According to him, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is deploying infantry personnel and engineers to accelerate the implementation of the disaster housing relief project.
He expressed hope that, although temporary, the planned housing units will help restore social activities and expedite the reopening of public services in disaster-affected areas.
In addition to temporary housing, he highlighted that BNPB is also preparing supporting facilities, including public toilets, communal washing areas, emergency medical treatment rooms, and gathering spaces that can serve as prayer rooms.
“In principle, the government is committed to meeting the needs of disaster victims and creating a humane environment for their recovery,” he stated.
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Translator: M. Riezko, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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