Post-Disaster Task Force Accelerates Permanent Housing Construction to Boost Regional Economy

The Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR) is pushing forward with the construction of Permanent Housing (Huntap). This recovery project is focused on the regions of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The development not only accelerates the provision of housing for survivors but is also expected to deliver economic benefits. The large-scale project is anticipated to create job opportunities, drive the building materials trade, and strengthen local supply chains. The Huntap construction plan across the three provinces involves 46,521 units. Preliminary data collection using the By Name By Address (BNBA) method has recorded 33,929 beneficiary families. This figure comprises 8,714 families under the In Situ scheme and 8,627 families under the Ex Situ Mandiri scheme. Additionally, there are 16,588 beneficiary families for the Ex Situ Komunal scheme. The construction of In Situ and Ex Situ Mandiri Huntap is handled directly by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Meanwhile, the Ex Situ Komunal Huntap is managed by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas (Kemen-PKP) in collaboration with local governments and partners. Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait stated that the Huntap project must provide a multiplier effect for the regions. The government is prioritising the use of domestic products, including materials from the affected areas that meet quality standards. ‘If the goods can come from Aceh, North Sumatra, or West Sumatra, try to use them as long as they comply with regulations and quality. Do not hesitate, so that the people’s economy can also move,’ Maruarar said in a written statement on Wednesday. Maruarar revealed that the Huntap design will utilise the Simple Healthy Instant House (RISHA) technology from the Semen Indonesia Group. RISHA is a modular construction technology featuring a knock-down system of precast concrete components. Meanwhile, BIP uses precision-dimensioned interlocking bricks. Both technologies accelerate construction while meeting post-disaster building resilience standards. Kemen-PKP has currently prepared a number of tender packages for the Huntap construction. The recovery construction project is projected to commence in September 2026. Specifically for the Ex Situ Komunal Huntap in 2026, construction is targeted to reach 7,952 units. Land has been mapped across 54 locations covering an area of 198.21 hectares with a capacity for 7,973 units. The breakdown includes 6,220 units in 45 locations in Aceh and 919 units in four locations in North Sumatra. Furthermore, there are 813 units in five locations in West Sumatra. Satgas PRR Chairman Muhammad Tito Karnavian assessed that the use of RISHA and BIP is highly appropriate. This provides an opportunity to accelerate work as long as land and basic support are available. The Huntap construction under the Master Plan for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction is projected to be fully completed by 2027. Tito stressed the importance of completing this project to provide housing certainty. ‘Those that have not been implemented are programmed for this year, or next year at the latest. This is to provide certainty for the community so they do not have to stay too long in temporary shelters,’ Tito said.