BNPB: Flood survivors in Aceh appreciate accelerated permanent housing construction

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has revealed that survivors of the flood and landslide disaster in Aceh Province appreciate the government’s swift action in realising the acceleration of in-situ permanent housing construction. Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the certainty of fulfilling the need for decent housing was accompanied by the distribution of basic food aid packages for the local community. “In addition to reviewing the progress of house construction in the field, the Head of BNPB also handed over basic food aid to meet the basic needs of residents at the Kualasimpang and West Peureulak locations,” he said. The BNPB Operations Control Centre noted that to date it has received proposals for the construction of around 15,000 in-situ permanent housing units (on residents’ own land) from three provinces, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Of this total, around 800 to 900 housing units have been built simultaneously, while nearly 400 units have been completed. Abdul explained that one of the beneficiaries of the housing construction assistance, Nurbayti (64), a resident of Sriwijaya Village, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, stated she was greatly helped after her severely damaged house was rebuilt permanently. Nurbayti told BNPB officers she was grateful because after nearly three months of being forced to stay in temporary housing facilities, she and her family could soon move into a new, safer home in the near future. A similar sentiment was expressed by Muhammad Fuad (35), a flood survivor from West Peureulak District, East Aceh Regency, who assessed that the government’s accelerated rehabilitation scheme for the housing sector was running very effectively. Fuad, who works daily as an electronics technician, said the structure of the type 36 building provided by the government is currently much better, sturdier, and more comfortable compared to his previous dwelling. “Alhamdulillah, this building is much better and more comfortable. Before the temporary shelter was ready, I had to stay at my in-laws’ house. The presence of this permanent housing gives our family new hope to return to a normal life,” said Fuad.