PRR Task Force Utilises Driftwood to Construct Temporary Housing

The impact of the hydro-meteorological disaster that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra at the end of last year included the emergence of driftwood carried by flood currents. The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster is now expediting the utilisation of this driftwood as part of the rehabilitation and reconstruction strategy in the affected areas.

PRR Task Force Chair Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that they have prepared a scheme for utilising the driftwood, from construction materials for housing to industrial needs.

“It can also be used by the community to build their own housing,” Tito said during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building, Office of the President’s Staff, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

Data from the PRR Task Force on 2 April 2026 records that the realisation of driftwood utilisation has been underway in several affected areas. In Aceh Province, covering North Aceh Regency, a volume of 2,112.11 cubic metres of wood has been utilised for temporary housing construction.

Meanwhile, in Aceh Tamiang Regency, there is 572.4 cubic metres of wood currently awaiting local government policy for its allocation.

In North Sumatra Province, covering South Tapanuli Regency, there is 329.24 cubic metres of wood for temporary housing, social facilities, and public facilities. Meanwhile, in Central Tapanuli Regency, 93.39 cubic metres of wood has been used to support the recovery of affected residents’ homes.

In West Sumatra, specifically in Padang City, a volume of 1,996.58 cubic metres of driftwood has been handed over to the local government for utilisation according to rehabilitation and reconstruction needs.

Tito stated that the utilisation of driftwood for post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction aligns with the Minister of Forestry’s Decree Number 191 of 2026, which regulates the utilisation of disaster-related driftwood as a material resource to support emergency response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

Tito also emphasised that parts of the driftwood that are small in size and less economical should, as much as possible, be utilised by local governments (pemda) to generate original regional income (PAD). For example, utilised as materials for making bricks or fuel for power plants.

“The mechanism is through cooperation, and the income becomes PAD (Original Regional Income),” Tito said.