Ministry of Public Works Accelerates Construction of Four New Temporary Shelters in Aceh Tamiang

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, stated that the Ministry of Public Works continues to accelerate the construction of four additional temporary shelters in the Aceh Tamiang Regency, so that people who are still living in evacuation tents can soon occupy them.

“There are still some people living in tents and requesting that the construction be expedited. God willing, we will try to complete it before Eid, there are four more locations that we need to work on in Aceh Tamiang,” said Dody Hanggodo, in Aceh Tamiang, Wednesday.

The statement was made by Dody Hanggodo to the media after having a pre-dawn meal with the community living in the Ministry of Public Works’ temporary shelters in Bundar Village, Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang Regency.

So far, Dody said, the Ministry of Public Works has built 20 blocks of temporary shelters, or about 240 housing units (22 units per block) in two different locations in Aceh Tamiang. Furthermore, additional shelters will be built in four other locations.

“Here (in Bundar Village), there are 13 blocks that we have built, and over there there are also seven blocks, so in total there are 20 blocks, and later there will be four more locations,” he said.

He hopes that the construction of the next temporary shelters will be completed before Eid al-Fitr, so that people will no longer have to live in evacuation tents.

“Hopefully, please pray that all our people who are still in evacuation tents can soon move into the housing units,” he said.

On this occasion, Minister Dody also emphasized that the allocation of the temporary shelters will be based on data or a list from the local government and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). This means that they are just waiting for the construction of the temporary shelters to be completed.

In accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, he added, all refugees will be accommodated in temporary housing units. However, the process is long, starting from land acquisition to construction.

“God willing, we will strive to ensure that our people who are still in the tents can leave the tents as soon as possible. It just takes time,” said Dody Hanggodo.