Residents enthusiastically welcome permanent housing construction in Bireuen, Aceh
The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster has revealed that progress on permanent housing (huntap) construction is being enthusiastically welcomed by survivors of the hydrometeorological disaster in Aceh, specifically residents of Desa Balee Panah, Kecamatan Juli, Bireuen Regency, Aceh.
According to a written statement from Satgas PRR, Suryani, one of the disaster survivors in Desa Balee Panah, has warmly welcomed the huntap construction. She revealed that her house was submerged and collapsed when the hydrometeorological disaster struck her village in late last year.
The huntap in the area is being built by BNPB and is projected to be earthquake-resistant housing. The type 36 units are constructed with rubble stone foundations, lightweight brick (habel) walls, lightweight steel for the roof foundation combined with spandex material for the roof, and PVC ceilings.
She hopes the huntap can be built soon so it can be occupied immediately to rebuild life after being hit by the hydrometeorological disaster. Currently, in Desa Balee Panah, a prototype unit of the huntap has been built, with construction planned to be expedited soon after Eid al-Fitr 1447 H/2026.
The prototype huntap in Desa Balee Panah is painted white and features a main room and two bedrooms with one bathroom inside. The lighting in the house also uses LED lamps.
“They say construction will start after Eid. We hope it can be quick, so it can be occupied right away,” said Suryani, as quoted from the Satgas PRR statement.
Suryani also appreciated the government for providing assistance during the post-disaster period, especially aid in the form of basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, and so on, which supported her daily life after being affected by the disaster.
Based on BNPB data, huntap construction in Kecamatan Juli uses an in situ scheme or is built around the initial disaster-affected area. Besides Kecamatan Juli, two other sub-districts in Bireuen will have huntap built with the in situ scheme, namely Kecamatan Jangka and Kecamatan Peudada.
“We really want the huntap right away so we don’t have to move around anymore,” said Suryani.
Huntap serves as a continuation of temporary housing (huntara) and Housing Waiting Funds (DTH) prepared by Satgas PRR to relocate evacuees who were previously in emergency tents to more decent housing.
The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster continues to build permanent housing (huntap) for survivors of hydrometeorological disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra whose houses were severely damaged or swept away by flood currents.
A total of 36,669 units are projected to be built in the three affected provinces. Currently, around 110 huntap have been completed, and 1,359 other units are under construction. Huntap construction is carried out across ministries/institutions, such as BNPB, Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PKP), National Police (Polri), Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemenkopolkam), Danantara, and local governments. Several private entities and individuals are also involved in the huntap construction.