Losing Home and Business, Family in Pidie Jaya Rises from Temporary Shelter

Amid living in temporary housing (huntara), the spirit of rising up remains visible among disaster survivors in Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh.

One of them is Yuliana, a resident of Meunasah Krueng Village, Manyang Cut Village, Meureudu District, who now lives with her family in temporary housing after her home was swept away by floodwaters.

Yuliana revealed that she, her husband, and their three children have been staying in the temporary shelter for nearly a month. Before being transferred to huntara, they had stayed in evacuation tents located on the roadside.

“We’ve been living here for almost a month before Ramadan. Before this, we lived in evacuation tents, where there was a lot of dust because it was near the road. It’s much better here; there’s no more dust,” said Yuliana in a written statement on Sunday (15/3/2026).

She made these remarks when interviewed at Manyang Lancok Temporary Shelter, Meureudu District, Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, on Thursday (12/3).

The flooding that struck her area not only destroyed homes but also wiped out the family’s source of income. The house, which also served as her small grocery business, was swept away by the current.

“My house is completely gone; everything was swept away. All our belongings are gone. I also sold groceries in front of the house while we lived behind it,” said Yuliana.

“Everything was carried away by the current; nothing was left,” she added.

Despite living in temporary housing, Yuliana expressed gratitude because at least her family now has a more adequate place to live compared to the evacuation tent they occupied previously.

Yuliana revealed that the atmosphere in temporary housing is different from their home village. During the day it feels hot, whilst at night it becomes quite cold and is sometimes bustling with children’s activities.

“It is indeed hot during the day, different from our village which is cooler. But we remain grateful; at least we have a place to shelter,” said Yuliana.

Currently, Yuliana’s family must work to meet their daily needs independently. Assistance available at the temporary shelter is generally limited to housing and basic facilities, whilst food needs must often be provided by the residents themselves.

“When living here, we search for food ourselves. Sometimes there is also assistance from the government or people who come to see our condition,” Yuliana explained.

“Since our income is now gone and our business was swept away entirely,” she added.

Amid this situation, Yuliana’s greatest hope is to return to their village soon with a permanent home through the permanent housing programme (huntap) that the government has planned for residents whose homes have been severely damaged.

“Those of us with severely damaged homes will receive huntap homes. The locations have already been announced,” Yuliana explained.

“Some choose their own land, while others are given government land,” she said.

For Yuliana and other residents, the presence of huntap is more than just a new place to live; it is also a symbol of hope to restart a life that was halted by the disaster.

“We hope to be able to return to our own village soon. That is what we are waiting for most now,” said Yuliana.

Despite losing so much, the spirit of Yuliana and her family demonstrates the resilience of communities in facing disasters. From the simple temporary shelter, they continue to nurture hope for a better future.