Disaster Recovery Task Force Completes 11,189 Temporary Shelters, West Sumatra Reaches Zero Tent Refugees
The completion of Temporary Shelter Units (Huntara) has been accelerated throughout Ramadan this year. According to data from the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force (Satgas PRR) as of 1 March 2026, 11,189 units have been completed and are fully ready for occupancy. Thousands of families who previously lost or suffered damage to their homes due to severe flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra will now be able to move into these shelters.
The more than 11,000 ready-to-occupy Huntara units represent the success of cross-sectoral orchestration efforts. Operating under unified command, Satgas PRR has successfully coordinated the work of ministries, agencies, and the private sector, aligning with President Prabowo’s promise when establishing the special task force. “All parties are working together; there is no excuse,” he stated in early January.
Satgas PRR Chairman Tito Karnavian reinforced that this collaborative effort represents a state commitment to providing comfort to citizens before the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. “We hope to complete everything as quickly as possible before Eid. Ideally, before Eid, no one will be in tents, but will be in Huntara or receiving Housing Waiting Assistance Funds (DTH) that are provided,” said Tito.
Guided by this mandate, approximately 30 ministries and agencies have united to implement rehabilitation efforts. National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) Head Lieutenant General Suharyanto, also serving as Satgas PRR Deputy Chairman II, has played a key role as the primary driving force. With experience as Commander of Military Region V Brawijaya, coordination has become more structured thanks to daily supervision. These efforts have been further strengthened technically by the Ministry of Public Works and oversight from the Infrastructure Minister.
In the field, this synergy has become increasingly solid with the involvement of Army and National Police units ensuring that physical construction continues uninterrupted despite difficult terrain. Beyond government institutions, contributions have also been recorded from Danantara, Dompet Dhuafa, Rumah Zakat, and other humanitarian initiatives.
When examining the data from 1 March in detail, Aceh emerges as the largest contributor with 9,497 completed units, followed by North Sumatra with 961 units. A notable achievement is evident in West Sumatra, which has completed 731 units.
This progress in the Minangkabau region is crucial because it successfully addresses the “Zero Tent” challenge launched by Satgas PRR. As a result, Tito Karnavian has extended special appreciation for this integrated working pattern, particularly in areas that have shown significant progress.
“In West Sumatra, there are no longer any refugees in our records. There are no longer any refugees living in tents; everyone is already in Huntara. That is extraordinary hard work from our colleagues in the field,” Tito stated firmly.
Despite encouraging progress, Satgas PRR is not resting on its laurels. Of the grand total plan of 18,253 units across three provinces, approximately 7,064 units remain and are currently being accelerated. Nevertheless, compared to data from 27 February which recorded 10,498 completed units, there has been an increase of 691 units in just two days to 11,189 units (data from 1 March).
This rapid construction demonstrates the effectiveness of the unified command working model applied by Satgas PRR. Within a two-day span, the addition of hundreds of units serves as an indicator that the work pace in the field is moving consistently and measurably.
The synergy of all elements involved in Satgas PRR proves that when the state is present with proper management and appropriate orchestration, post-flood recovery in Sumatra can proceed as expected. This hard work is aimed at ensuring that citizens will no longer celebrate the victory of Eid al-Fitr under plastic sheeting, but rather in solid and safe housing.