Regional Authorities Urged to Expedite Data Collection for Disaster Relief Housing Beneficiaries

The head of the Task Force for Accelerated Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Following Post-Disaster in Sumatra, Tito Karnavian, has urged regional governments to immediately accelerate data collection of residents who will occupy permanent housing (huntap) for disaster victims.

Tito stated that expediting data collection is important so that the central government can promptly begin construction of permanent homes for affected communities.

“All regional heads are saying the same thing—they want permanent housing built quickly. But the data must be clear first,” Tito said in a written statement on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

This was stated by Tito whilst attending a social assistance distribution activity for disaster-affected communities in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh Regency, Aceh, on Monday, 16 March.

According to him, regional heads need to establish a special team or task force to record residents’ preferences regarding whether they choose the in-situ or communal scheme for permanent housing development.

He explained that the in-situ scheme means homes are rebuilt at the location or on land owned by the residents themselves. Under this scheme, residents can choose to have their homes built by the government or build them themselves with assistance funds of approximately 60 million rupiah.

“Residents are asked: do you want to live in-situ with construction by BNPB [National Disaster Management Authority], or do you want to build it yourself with an allocation of 60 million rupiah? But the land must be your own,” he said.

Meanwhile, the communal scheme means residents will be placed in a new residential area built together in a single complex prepared by the government.

For this scheme, regional governments are asked to prepare land that can be used as a development location, whether from government-owned land (regional or central), state-owned enterprises, or through the purchase of community land at fair prices.

“If there is no government land available, land can also be purchased from the community at a fair price,” he said.

Tito emphasised that residents’ preferences must be recorded clearly through forms and accompanied by statements so that the central government can determine the permanent housing development pattern.

“The faster we have data on who wants in-situ housing and who chooses the complex option, the easier it will be for us to coordinate permanent housing construction,” he explained.

He also reminded regional governments to actively conduct data collection in the field and not merely wait for assistance from the central government.

According to Tito, permanent housing development is an important step in restoring the lives of disaster-affected communities after evacuees were previously placed in temporary shelters or received housing rental assistance.

“If there is no data, what will be built? Communities are already demanding permanent housing be provided, but regional governments are not taking action,” he concluded.