North Tapanuli Recovery Accelerated, Permanent Housing and School Relocation Become Priorities
The Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra is overseeing the resolution of three urgent needs in the recovery of North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. These priorities include providing electricity networks for permanent housing construction, upgrading temporary shelters to permanent residences, and relocating schools from disaster-prone areas.
Monitoring by the Satgas PRR team on Thursday (30/7) indicates that social sector recovery is progressing. Living allowances have been distributed to 43erm families, totaling 1,601 individuals. Additionally, housing contents and economic stimulants have been received by 365 families, with the local government proposing an additional 37 families for economic assistance.
Progress is also evident in the completion of 103 communal permanent housing units in Dolok Nauli Village, constructed by the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation. All recipients have been officially designated via decree and have received furniture. Infrastructure, facilities, and utility works have reached approximately 90 per cent completion, while the construction of early childhood education facilities has reached 20 per cent.
In Pagar Lampung Village, plans for 20 permanent housing units cannot yet commence as the electricity network does not reach the location. The Satgas PRR will coordinate this issue with PLN to ensure the provision of the network is secured so that housing construction can proceed.
Meanwhile, the North Tapanuli Regency Government has proposed upgrading temporary shelters in Sibalanga Village to permanent housing. This plan requires support for the construction of drainage, water channels, boreholes, and retaining walls. The Satgas PRR will facilitate coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to accelerate the fulfilment of this basic infrastructure.
“The North Tapanuli Regency Government, along with relevant regional agencies, must continue to strengthen coordination with BNPB and relevant ministries/agencies to accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction, and immediately report any obstacles to the Central Satgas PRR for follow-up,” stated the Head of the North Sumatra Monitoring Team, Brigadier General TNI Fadjar Tjahjono, in a statement on Friday (31/7/2026).
The protection of students is also a primary concern. SD Negeri 173153 Sibalanga, located in a high-risk area, will be relocated to a 40 x 60-metre plot near the temporary housing site. The Satgas PRR will follow up on this requirement with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the local government to expedite the relocation process.
Furthermore, several other facilities have returned to functionality. The Sitakka Bridge, constructed by the Indonesian Army, is fully operational, allowing community activities to return to normal. Renovations at SD Negeri 173156 Lobupining are also complete, and teaching activities have resumed. As the school building is located near a ravine, the local government is preparing to construct retaining walls using Regional Transfer Funds.
The Head of the Data Team for the National Post of the Satgas PRR, Colonel Inf Tamimi Hendra Kesuma, emphasised that the task force will continue to monitor the resolution of every obstacle in a measurable manner. Coordination is being directed towards PLN for electricity provision, BNPB for the fulfilment of basic residential infrastructure, and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for school relocation. These steps are essential to ensure that the recovery of North Tapanuli provides decent housing, a safer environment, and certainty of services for the affected community.