PRR Task Force Focuses on Restoring Social and Economic Conditions Post-Disaster in Sumatra

Satgas PRR Focuses on Restoring Social and Economic Conditions Post-Disaster in Sumatra

The Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) says it is currently focusing on restoring the social and economic sectors of communities affected by the disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar). Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, during a visit to temporary housing (huntara) with the Chair of the PRR Task Force Post-Disaster Sumatra, Tito Karnavian, in Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, said the government has prepared a range of assistance schemes for affected communities, from the provision of huntara to family economic recovery aid. After the emergency period, the government then prepared housing for evacuees, whether temporary housing (huntara) or permanent housing (huntap).

Next, how should evacuees be housed — temporary housing first, or directly permanent housing? Saifullah said on Friday (6 March).

According to him, because the disaster scale is large and spans several provinces, the response involves various parties such as the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). This is in line with the directive from President Prabowo Subianto to the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri), Tito Karnavian.

Because the scale is wide and large, the President through Mendagri as Chair of the Task Force has tasked many agencies to be involved, Saifullah said.

Coordination also involves State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and the Ministry of Public Works, particularly in the construction of huntara and huntap.

Saifullah explained that in implementation there may be differences in facility standards. This is because the government aims to provide decent housing as quickly as possible to evacuees.

Rather than people staying in evacuation tents for too long, it is better to move them soon to temporary housing. If there are deficiencies in huntara they can be repaired or adjusted, he said.

Furthermore, the government also provides assistance for families occupying huntara and huntap amounting to Rp3 million per household, assuming most household items lost or damaged due to the disaster.

There is also an economic stimulus assistance of Rp5 million per family to help restart life after the disaster. In addition, during the stay in huntara, the government provides a living allowance (jadup) for purchasing meat and other foods at Rp15,000 per person per day for three months.

So each person receives Rp450,000 per month for food needs, for three months, said Saifullah.

Moreover, Saifullah reminded that the accuracy of casualty data is a vital factor in Sumatra’s recovery. Therefore, regional governments were asked to carry out detailed data collection quickly in collaboration with BNPB.

Those who know the condition of society down to the villages are the regents and mayors, so data collection must be conducted by local governments, he concluded.