PRR Task Force Head Urges Acceleration of Damage Assessment for Aid Distribution in Central Tapanuli

Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) and Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Kasatgas PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has emphasised that local governments (Pemda) should immediately accelerate the data collection on damaged homes affected by the disaster, in categories of light, moderate, and severe. This step is deemed crucial to ensure that aid distribution proceeds on time, thereby fulfilling the rights of disaster victims promptly.

“If there is no classification of light, moderate, severe as mentioned, the aid funds cannot be disbursed,” said Tito during the inspection of Permanent Housing (Huntap) in Sitonong Bangun Ward, Pinangsori Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli Regency (Tapteng), North Sumatra (Sumut), on Friday (27/3).

Tito explained that according to regulations, residents with lightly damaged homes are entitled to Rp15 million in aid, while those with moderately damaged homes receive Rp30 million.

In addition, the government is preparing aid from the Ministry of Social Affairs, including living guarantees (jadup) of Rp15,000 per person per day for three months, household furniture aid of Rp3 million, and economic aid worth Rp5 million.

To accelerate aid distribution, Tito instructed the Regent of Tapteng, Masinton Pasaribu, to immediately form a special data collection team involving BPBD, the Social Services Office, and Dukcapil, with support from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

In particular, the team is requested to go directly to the field with adequate budget support, and to target completion of data collection within one week.

Furthermore, Tito stated that the government is ready to take firm action against parties that hinder the acceleration of disaster response. He also urged regional heads not to hesitate in evaluating and reporting officials who do not support the process.

“This is a disaster situation; do not let the community become victims,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government, through the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and the Ministry of Social Affairs, has expressed full readiness to realise construction and aid distribution.

Currently, the implementation of physical construction, including huntap, is still awaiting complete valid data and the provision of legal land from the Central Tapanuli Regency Government.