PRR Task Force Hands Over 120 Permanent Homes in Tapanuli Selatan, Praises Regent's Swift Action
The government has officially handed over 120 permanent housing units (huntap) in the first phase to communities affected by hydrometeorological disasters in South Tapanuli Regency (Tapsel), North Sumatra (Sumut). The handover of these homes is part of the accelerated post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction programme for residents who lost their dwellings.
The Minister of Home Affairs, serving as Head of the Task Force (Kasatgas) for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Post-Disaster in Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, assessed the process in this region as highly effective. He stated that the construction of housing in South Tapanuli is one of the fastest in the history of disaster management on the island of Sumatra.
“Well, this is the fastest gotong royong, the fastest I can say. The quickest,” he remarked during the key handover ceremony in South Tapanuli Regency on Friday (27/3).
Tito explained that the smooth progress of permanent housing construction heavily relies on coordination across three main stages between central and local governments. The success of the initial phase depends on the local government’s ability to compile detailed and accurate data on victims.
This data must include damage categories as well as beneficiary identities based on name and address (by name by address) clearly. Once submitted, the Central Statistics Agency will conduct field verification to ensure the validity of the information before construction begins.
This recovery process is the result of collaboration between the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (PKP), and support from non-governmental entities such as the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation. Tito extended special appreciation to the Regent of South Tapanuli, Gus Irawan, for his performance in this administrative process.
The regent was deemed highly responsive in gathering and submitting details of residents’ damage, from light to severe categories. The speed of this administration directly impacted the acceleration of temporary housing funds (DTH) disbursement for communities during the displacement period.
“That is also because of the data from Mr Regent [of Tapsel, submitted quickly],” Tito emphasised in a written statement on Friday (27/3).
Beneficiary communities also received temporary housing funds of Rp1.8 million, provided in a lump sum for needs over three months. In addition to permanent homes, the government is distributing various supporting aids to alleviate the burden on disaster survivors.
These aids include living allowances from the Ministry of Social Affairs worth Rp15,000 per person daily during the transition period. Residents also receive Rp3 million for household furniture procurement and economic stimulus support of Rp5 million.
The government hopes that the success of handling in South Tapanuli can serve as a standard for other regions in recovery. Currently, 52 regencies and cities in Aceh Province, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra are targeted for rehabilitation.
Tito urged heads of regions in other affected areas to promptly complete resident data so that aid can be processed quickly. Completeness of administration is the main key for relevant ministries to promptly carry out physical construction actions in the field.
“The sooner we receive it, the sooner BPS can conduct field verification, the sooner, then BNPB can move, Minister Ara, the Minister of PKP will also move immediately,” he concluded.
For information, in this programme, huntap construction uses three schemes adjusted to field conditions and community needs. These schemes include in-situ huntap construction by BNPB, communal huntap by the Ministry of PKP, and independent relocation options for residents.