Construction Begins on 1,133 Permanent Homes for Padangsidimpuan Disaster Survivors
The Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) is accelerating permanent recovery efforts for communities affected by hydrometeorological disasters in North Sumatra. This commitment was marked by the groundbreaking ceremony for permanent housing (huntap) in Pijorkoling Village, Padangsidimpuan, on Tuesday (14/7/2026), as an initial step in providing a safe, liveable, and sustainable settlement area for survivors.
The groundbreaking was conducted by the Vice Chairman I of the Satgas PRR, who is also the Chief of General Staff of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Lieutenant General Richard Taruli Horja Tampubolon. His arrival was welcomed by the Padangsidimpuan City Government with an Angkola traditional ceremony, including the bestowal of an ulos cloth and a tor-tor dance, symbolising respect and the spirit of togetherness in rebuilding the community’s life after the disaster.
The initial phase of construction targets the completion of 200 permanent housing units by December 2026. The area is part of an integrated settlement development on 27 hectares of land owned by PTPN IV, which has been prepared to support the sustainable relocation of affected communities.
Lieutenant General Richard explained that based on the rehabilitation and reconstruction master plan, the area is designed not only to provide housing but also to create a comfortable environment that supports community activities. Of the total 27 hectares of land prepared, approximately 15 hectares are allocated for residential areas, 7.5 hectares for public facilities and main roads, and 4.5 hectares for green open spaces.
“The Satgas PRR continues to communicate and coordinate with all ministries, agencies, and local governments from the provincial to the city level. With the support and attention of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the Satgas PRR is following up on the acceleration of rehabilitation and reconstruction so that affected communities can immediately obtain liveable housing,” Richard said in a written statement on Tuesday (14/7/2026).
Through continuously strengthened cross-sector coordination, the Task Force ensures that every stage of development runs in harmony, from land provision and house construction to the preparation of supporting infrastructure for the area. This approach is part of an effort to deliver recovery that is not only fast but also high-quality and sustainability-oriented.
Abdul Rahman Nasution, Head of the Padangsidimpuan City Housing and Settlement Agency, stated that the relocation area is designed to accommodate 1,133 families affected by the disaster. Construction will be carried out in stages by the Ministry of Housing and Residential Areas until all housing needs are met.
“Based on comprehensive planning, 1,133 housing units will be built in this area for the 1,133 families affected by the floods in Padangsidimpuan City,” said Abdul Rahman.
During the groundbreaking ceremony in Padangsidimpuan, Richard was accompanied by Deputy IV of the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development Rony Ariuly Hutahayan, Director of Housing and Settlement Area Engineering at the Ministry of Housing and Residential Areas Syamsiar Nurhayadi, Director of Bridge Construction at the Ministry of Public Works Gatot Sukmara, and Acting Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims at the Ministry of Social Affairs Maryani Mansur. Also present were several members of the national Satgas PRR post, including Air Vice Marshal M. Nurdin, Air Commodore Ridha Hermawan, Brigadier General Andre Julian, Brigadier General Fadjar Cahyono, Colonel Inf Tamimi Hendra Kesuma, and Colonel Inf Riski Marlon.