Government Targets All Sumatra Disaster Refugees to Move into Huntaras Before Eid al-Fitr

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Head of the Task Force for Accelerated Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) post-disaster Sumatra, Tito Karnavian, emphasised that the government targets all disaster refugees in Aceh Province, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar) will no longer live in tents before Eid al-Fitr 2026. Tito explained that the number of refugees still living in tents at present is around 6,000, down from roughly 11,000 a week earlier. ‘From last week’s 11,000-odd, it is now 6,000-odd. Our target before Eid al-Fitr is that they have moved into huntaras or are using the housing deferral funds,’ Tito said while inspecting huntaras in Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, cited in a press statement on Friday (6 March 2026). ‘Whatever it takes, we have been working in a meeting to ensure that before Lebaran there are no more refugees in tents,’ he added. Tito explained that the government is pushing for accelerated relocation of the refugees from tents to huntaras or the DTH housing assistance scheme. He noted that the number of refugees still living in tents is continuing to fall significantly. ‘Those still in tents are in Aceh and North Sumatra, particularly in Tapteng and Tapsel. Meanwhile in Aceh they are in several districts and in Sumbar none. None remain in tents. All are in huntaras or the housing-deferral fund,’ Tito said. In the near term, the refugees’ meal needs will still be covered by BNPB before the social assistance scheme from the Ministry of Social Affairs is fully rolled out. ‘For the meals, BNPB will cover the next 10 days. After that, they will use the meal allowance or ’jadup’ from the Ministry of Social Affairs,’ he explained.