Refugee Numbers Decline in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra

Jakarta — The Acceleration Task Force for Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra has recorded a significant decline in the number of refugees across three disaster-affected provinces: Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra in recent days.

The Task Force Spokesperson, Amran, stated that according to daily reports from Satgas PRR as of 9 March, the refugee population in Aceh, which previously reached 2,099 households (KK), has now reduced to 1,695 KK still residing in temporary shelters, a decrease of 404 households.

In West Sumatra, the government reported that no refugees currently remain in temporary shelters.

Amran stated that the government is optimistic that the number of refugees in tents will continue to decline towards Eid al-Fitr 2026.

According to him, the strategy of relocating disaster survivors from temporary shelters to temporary housing units (huntara) has proven quite effective, thereby reducing refugee numbers gradually.

“This downward trend will continue until the coming Eid al-Fitr. We are optimistic that the number of refugees will continue to decrease and move into temporary housing, so there will be no more refugees living in tents,” he said.

The reduction in refugee numbers is also aligned with the acceleration of temporary housing construction across the three affected provinces.

Of the total plan to construct 18,697 temporary housing units across three provinces, 13,431 units have been completed to date, representing approximately 71 per cent of the overall target.

In West Sumatra, temporary housing construction has reached 100 per cent of the set target.

Meanwhile, the progress of temporary housing construction in North Sumatra has reached approximately 92 per cent and in Aceh approximately 68 per cent.

In addition to temporary housing construction, the government is also distributing Housing Waiting Funds (DTH) to disaster survivors who choose not to reside in temporary housing units.

To date, all recipient accounts have received fund transfers with a distribution rate reaching 100 per cent to 12,771 recipients across the three affected provinces.

Satgas PRR considers the acceleration of temporary housing construction and distribution of housing waiting funds as important factors in reducing the number of refugees and accelerating the recovery of community life in the post-disaster period in the region.