151 Families of Disaster Survivors in Pidie Jaya Relocated to Temporary Housing

Residents of Meunasah Raya placed in the temporary housing are victims of the disaster whose homes suffered severe damage and cannot be returned to.

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - A total of 151 families of survivors from the hydrometeorological disaster, who were previously sheltering in tents on the grounds of Gampong Meunasah Raya mosque in Meurah Dua sub-district, Pidie Jaya Regency, have been relocated to temporary housing (huntara).

The keuchik (village head) of Meunasah Raya, Abdul Halim Ishak, contacted from Banda Aceh on Thursday, stated that over a hundred families, totalling 171 souls among the disaster victims, have been relocated to several huntara sites.

“A total of 151 families with 171 souls from our community, who were previously sheltering in tents, have been relocated to huntara. The relocation took place a day before Eid last week,” he said.

Abdul Halim Ishak mentioned that the residents of Meunasah Raya placed in the huntara are disaster victims whose homes experienced severe damage and cannot be returned to.

“With our residents relocated to temporary housing, there are no longer any tent shelters for displaced persons on the grounds of Gampong Meunasah Raya mosque. The displacement tents have been dismantled,” said Abdul Halim Ishak.

Although the residents are now in huntara, Abdul Halim Ishak noted that several issues are still faced by the disaster survivors in the temporary housing. These include suboptimal distribution of clean water to the housing units and non-functional drainage channels.

“We hope that the clean water and drainage issues are resolved soon. The residents also request the addition of bore wells and assistance with cooking equipment,” said Abdul Halim Ishak.

“In the bathrooms, there are taps, but clean water does not flow. We have been forced to fetch clean water from the mosque at the previous shelter site. Additionally, wastewater does not enter the drains but instead pools on the ground around the huntara,” he said.

Rizwan hopes that the clean water distribution and drainage issues are addressed promptly. Pooled wastewater around the huntara, if left unattended, could potentially cause diseases.

“Besides these issues, we also hope for other assistance such as kitchen equipment or other logistics, including school needs for the children after the holiday,” said Rizwan.