Flood-Stricken Residents in Aceh Rebuild Homes from Disaster Debris

Flood survivors in Tetingi Village, Pantan Cuaca District, Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, have chosen to rebuild their homes from leftover materials salvaged from the disaster debris, hoping to reunite with their families for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah in 2026.

Tetingi Village Head Mahmud, aged 41, said residents are now constructing makeshift homes using salvaged materials from the disaster ruins, including corrugated iron sheets and timber carried by floodwaters.

“Previously, residents stayed in evacuation tents, but most have now chosen to return to their original home sites and rebuild, as the government’s temporary shelter facilities are not yet fully habitable,” he said, as quoted by Antara news agency on Monday (16 March).

He acknowledged that temporary housing units prepared by the government through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) are available, but remain hampered by inadequate supporting facilities such as clean water supply and electricity connections.

“Water pumps and wells are already installed, but they cannot yet fill the water tanks. The same applies to electricity. According to PLN officials, electrical meter stocks are depleted, so not all temporary housing units can be equipped, which is why some residents prefer to stay in makeshift homes,” said the village chief.

According to village government data, Tetingi Village is home to 133 households totalling 418 people, all affected by the floods and landslides that struck the area on 26 November 2025.

Of these, 33 homes were completely destroyed, while 42 others were severely damaged and deemed uninhabitable, requiring demolition.

The residents of Tetingi Village had built homes along the riverbank, with most destroyed or swept away by the fierce floodwaters nearly four months ago.

“As Eid approaches, many residents are settling back here. Even though their homes are makeshift, what matters is being able to gather with family,” he said, noting that village conditions are slowly improving with assistance from government agencies, community members, and volunteer teams from various regions.