President Monitors Temporary Housing in Aceh Tamiang, Praises Sumatra Recovery Synergy

Following Eid prayers at Masjid Darussalam in Aceh Tamiang on Saturday, 21 March 2026, President Prabowo Subianto took the opportunity to engage more closely with residents by distributing staple aid packages. He also directly inspected the conditions of the nearest Temporary Housing (Huntara) to ensure that basic facilities for flood survivors had been adequately provided.

The President expressed his admiration for the performance of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster. He assessed that the transition process from the emergency phase to recovery was proceeding very effectively. “The repairs and recovery are very swift. Alhamdulillah, it’s nearly 100 percent,” he stated to the media.

The President emphasised that there are no longer any displaced persons in Aceh Tamiang staying in emergency tents. All affected residents have been successfully relocated to permanent housing (Huntap) or temporary housing established by the government with adequate facilities.

“There are no more in tents; 100 percent have all moved out. They have entered temporary or permanent housing. Alhamdulillah, the situation is improving; electricity is also nearly all on, 100 percent operational,” the President added with a tone of pride.

In particular, Prabowo conveyed deep appreciation to all personnel working tirelessly in the field. He noted that the cross-sectoral synergy between TNI-Polri, BNPB, the Ministry of Public Works, and local governments has been key to the recovery now being felt directly by residents in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Two Months of Hard Work by Satgas PRR

The success highlighted by the President is clearly reflected in Satgas PRR data. Since beginning operations on 7 January 2026 under the command of Interior Minister Tito Karnavian, the task force has relentlessly pursued recovery targets.

For comparison, just days after the major flood on 2 December 2025, the number of displaced persons reached 2,108,582 individuals scattered in emergency tents and public facilities. However, by 17 February 2026, the figure had drastically reduced. In Aceh, 12,144 remained; in North Sumatra, 850; while West Sumatra had zero tent displacees. During Ramadan, the relocation process was accelerated, achieving the target of zero tent displacees right on Eid al-Fitr.

Physical construction progress also shows significant figures. Of the total target of 19,351 Huntara units in the three provinces, 16,088 units have been completed (Aceh: 14,289 units, North Sumatra: 969 units, and West Sumatra: 830 units). Up to one day before Eid, 14,217 Huntara units had been officially occupied by survivors.

This success is also acknowledged by local leaders. Deputy Regent of Pidie Jaya, Hasan Basri, revealed that since 11 March 2026, his region had achieved zero displacees in tents.

“Alhamdulillah, the people of Pidie Jaya are now all no longer in displacement tents; everyone has moved into Huntara with adequate basic facilities,” he told Tempo on Thursday night, 19 March 2026.

Although Huntara conditions are generally habitable, Hasan noted several challenges that still require attention, particularly access to clean water. “Some facilities still need upgrading, for example, the provision of clean water because the local PDAM is still damaged. If relying only on bore wells, sometimes it can’t cover all needs,” he said.