BNPB: Temporary housing for NTT earthquake survivors being built in stages
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that the establishment of temporary housing (huntara) for survivors of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is being implemented gradually, based on the results of beneficiary verification.
The Acting Head of the BNPB Centre for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Berton SP Panjaitan, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the construction of temporary housing is being carried out so that earthquake survivors across seven regencies can promptly leave evacuation centres ahead of permanent recovery efforts.
“In the process of constructing temporary housing, the BNPlar will complete the work in stages based on the number of beneficiaries established by the local governments,” he said.
Berton explained that during this emergency transition towards recovery, the government is providing two options for owners of severely damaged houses: accessing the Housing Waiting Fund (DTH) for house rentals or having temporary housing constructed. However, the majority of affected residents have reportedly opted for the temporary housing assistance.
In East Manggarai Regency, out of an initial target of 1,305 units using both in-situ and ex-situ concepts, six units have been completed and 561 units are currently under construction.
Meanwhile, in Ngada Regency, 11 temporary housing units (six independent units and five in-situ units) have been completed, while another 272 units are still in the process of being finalised.
For Nagekeo Regency, nine in-situ temporary housing units are 100 per cent complete, and 173 units are under construction out of a total of 314 verified severely damaged houses.
In Sikka Regency, two units—comprising family and communal types—have been erected, followed by 25 units currently under parallel construction. In Ende Regency, seven units are complete and seven are in progress.
“In West Manggarai Regency, the local government is still finalising the Decree (SK) for beneficiaries by name and address, following a shift in residents’ decisions from the Housing Waiting Fund to the temporary housing option,” Berton explained.
He ensured that every determination of the temporary housing locations is preceded by socialisation and deliberation with the affected residents, while local governments finalise the preparation of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan (R3P) documents.