Construction of temporary shelters begins in isolated East Aceh village following disaster

East Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) — Temporary shelters (huntara) have begun to be constructed in Sahraja Village, Pantai Bidari Subdistrict, East Aceh, which has been isolated since the flash floods struck in late November 2025.

“We have now entered the recovery phase, such as the construction of temporary shelters,” said Military District Commander (Danramil) 20/Pante Bidari Muhammad Irwan, speaking after a communal iftar meal in Sarah Gala Hamlet, Sahraja Village, East Aceh, on Sunday.

Irwan said the road access to Sahraja Village, which had been blocked by mud, has now been cleared. Mud clearance has been one of the key activities undertaken by the Indonesian military (TNI) since the floods first struck the area.

Irwan added that the construction of temporary shelters for Sahraja Village is targeted for completion by Eid al-Fitr in March 2026. Approximately 1,500 units are planned for construction.

“There have been no obstacles so far. Construction has already begun,” Irwan said.

Based on ANTARA’s observations in Sahraja Village on Sunday, several plots of land have been levelled and prepared for the construction of shelter units.

Sahraja Village in East Aceh was one of the worst-affected villages following the flash floods that struck Aceh in November 2025.

Rudi Jasa, a resident of Sahraja Village encountered in Sarah Gala Hamlet on Sunday, expressed his gratitude for the support provided by volunteers, the government, and other relevant parties.

He acknowledged that the construction of temporary shelters in Sahraja Village has been slower compared to other villages due to the difficulty of access from the main road.

“Thank God the temporary shelters have started being built. Our area is slow because it is far from urban centres. When it rains, transporting materials to the site becomes a challenge, which is why our area is the slowest,” Rudi said.

Based on information he had received, Rudi said residents originally living in Sarah Gala Hamlet would be relocated to higher ground.

“Because this area (Sarah Gala Hamlet) is prone to flooding,” Rudi said.