PRR Task Force Targets No Refugees Remaining in Tents by Eid al-Fitr

Banda Aceh — The Sumatra Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (PRR Pascabencana Sumatera) is targeting Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH to have no refugees living in tents, with all families moved into temporary housing (Huntara).

‘We are really aiming that before Eid al-Fitr there will be no refugees left in tents,’ said Muhammad Tito Karnavian, head of the PRR Task Force, during a field visit to Huntara in Pidie Jaya, Aceh, on Friday, alongside Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah, and Pidie Jaya Regent Sibral Malasyi.

He noted that the number of refugees still living in tents continues to decline, to around 6,873 people, comprising 6,187 in Aceh and 686 in North Sumatra, while there are no tent refugees in West Sumatra.

The Task Force is pressing to ensure that all refugees are transferred into Huntara before Eid al-Fitr, after which they would receive housing allowance funds.

Tito added that the Huntara stock to be constructed is actually sufficient, but construction is still underway by BNPB, Danantara, the Ministry of Public Works, and other humanitarian agencies.

‘The head of BNPB has said arrangements will be made, because a large number of Huntara are being built while the people aren’t enough. This will be relocated and allocated there,’ he said.

Separately, during the inspection of BNPB’s Huntara in Pidie Jaya, residents complained about the heat inside Huntara and issues with clean water. Regarding this, Tito said he would raise the matter with the BNPB chief to help improve it so residents do not overheat, such as by installing ceilings.

‘We will raise it with the BNPB Chief (about the Huntara ceilings). Going forward, standards should be set to prevent the spaces from getting too hot, roughly speaking. But we should also provide fans,’ Tito Karnavian added.