The allowance, set at Rp600,000 (about US$38) per household per month, will be paid to disaster survivors who are currently staying with relatives or friends rather than in government-built temporary shelters, BNPB chief Suharyanto told reporters.
“Starting tomorrow, the government will disburse a transitional housing allowance of Rp600,000 per household per month for affected residents who are not living in temporary housing,” Suharyanto said, adding that the program is intended to ease basic living costs during the transition period.
He said the funds will be transferred directly into recipients’ bank accounts through state-owned lenders to ensure transparency and speed in the distribution process.
The initial phase of the assistance will cover payments for December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026, Suharyanto said.
The allowance will continue to be provided until permanent housing is completed and residents are able to return to stable living conditions.
Data collection on eligible recipients is still ongoing, he said, although several districts and cities have already submitted verified lists of survivors who are temporarily living with family members or acquaintances.
Related news: BNPB to finish temporary homes in Agam before schools reopen
Suharyanto stressed that the government would not delay the aid while waiting for the full data process to conclude, saying disbursements would proceed in stages as information becomes available.
Meanwhile, construction of temporary housing has already started in several affected areas, according to BNPB.
“Many survivors have expressed a preference for temporary housing to be built on their original land, as they do not want to leave their villages or familiar neighborhoods,” Suharyanto said.
Severe floods and landslides hit Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces in late November 2025 after days of intense rainfall, triggering widespread destruction.
As of Dec. 25, BNPB data showed the disasters had killed 1,135 people, while 173 others remain missing.
The disasters damaged 157,838 houses, including 47,165 that were severely damaged, 33,276 with moderate damage and 77,397 that suffered minor damage, underscoring the scale of the recovery challenge ahead.
Related news: Home minister urges cash-rich regions to aid disaster-hit Sumatra
Translator: M Haris, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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