91 Days of Recovery in Sumatra: Refugee Numbers Plummet from 2 Million to 6,000
INFO TEMPO - A new hope has enveloped millions of residents affected by the major floods in Sumatra. There are no longer refugees living in tents, so the priority of the Satgas Percepatan Rehabilitasi dan Rekonstruksi (Satgas PRR) is that everyone rejoices as they welcome Idul Fitri 1447 H in two weeks.
The projection, based on Satgas PRR’s report data, shows a very drastic and significant decline in the number of refugees in tents.
Since the initial post-flood conditions on 2 December 2025 recorded 2,178,269 people staying in refugee tents, the figure has plummeted to 6,873 by 3 March 2026.
If calculated precisely over a 91-day period from early December, the Satgas PRR and involved parties have relocated millions of people, with an average daily reduction of about 23,861 people in total. This achievement will be a vital indicator that the transition towards normal life is on the right track.
Although progress is remarkable, as of 3 March 2026, 6,187 people remained in tents in Aceh Province, making it the province with the highest number of refugees at present.
Three districts in Aceh with the highest tent refugee numbers are Aceh Utara (4,835 people), Nagan Raya (916 people in Beutong Ateuh District), and Gayo Lues (295 people). Conversely, the three areas with the lowest refugee figures are Aceh Tengah Regency (92 people), Aceh Timur (113 people), and Bireuen Regency (176 people).
What about North Sumatra Province? Satgas PRR data records remaining refugees at 686 people. The highest figures are in South Tapanuli Regency (472 people) and Central Tapanuli (214 people).
A note of pride comes from West Sumatra Province, which has achieved the target of zero refugees or completely clearing all tent shelters as of the date of this report. The success in clearing tents has been driven by accelerated housing infrastructure construction and massive distribution of aid.
“Alhamdulillah there are no longer any refugees in Sumatra Barat in our records. There are no longer any refugees in tents; all are in huntara,” said Satgas PRR Chairman Tito Karnavian.
Progress on the temporary housing (huntara) in West Sumatra is already 99 percent. Much higher than the overall construction progress in the three affected provinces, which is 65 percent.
Tito expressed high appreciation for the ministries/agencies and local governments that have worked hard to drive post-disaster recovery. The support is crucial to optimise the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Sumatra. He said the synergy of all elements is essential to ensure the government’s target that all refugees celebrate Eid in greater comfort and in suitable conditions can be realised.
“We hope to complete it as soon as possible, ideally before Eid al-Fitr. If possible, before Eid al-Fitr no one remains in tents but in huntara or receiving the housing payment funds provided,” he said.
To date, the disbursement of DTH has reached 100 percent in three provinces, enabling residents to repair their homes soon.
He also assured that cross-ministerial and local government coordination would continue to be strengthened to pursue the target. “Coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), BNPB, Danantara, and the provincial and regency/city governments is underway intensively so that affected communities can occupy safe and decent housing as soon as possible,” he said. (*)