Tito Requests TapTeng to Form Special Team for Data on Sumatra Disaster Victims

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has requested Central Tapanuli Regent Masinton Pasaribu to accelerate the data collection on victims of the Sumatra disaster so that aid distribution can be carried out more quickly.

Tito emphasised the need for local government to speed up the assessment of house damages affected by the disaster, in categories of light, moderate, and severe. This step is deemed crucial to ensure timely aid distribution, so that the rights of disaster victims can be fulfilled promptly.

“If there is no classification of light, moderate, severe as mentioned, aid funds cannot be disbursed,” said Tito during the inspection of permanent housing (huntap) in Sitonong Bangun Ward, Pinangsori Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, on Friday, 27 March 2026, quoted from his official statement.

As the Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster, he instructed Masinton Pasaribu to immediately form a special data collection team involving the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Social Services, and Population and Civil Registration Office (Dukcapil). They will receive assistance from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The team is requested to go directly to the field with adequate budget support, targeting completion of data collection within one week.

Tito stressed that the government will take firm action against parties that hinder the acceleration of disaster response. He also urged regional heads not to hesitate to evaluate, or even report, officials who do not support the process.

“This is a disaster situation; do not let the community become victims,” said Tito.

Furthermore, Tito explained that according to regulations, residents with lightly damaged houses are entitled to aid of Rp15 million, while those with moderate damage receive Rp30 million. In addition, the government is preparing social assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs, including living allowances of Rp15,000 per person per day for three months, household furniture assistance of Rp3 million, and economic aid worth Rp5 million.

The central government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and Ministry of Social Affairs has expressed full readiness to realise construction and aid distribution. Currently, the implementation of physical construction, including huntap, is still awaiting complete valid data and the provision of legal land from the Central Tapanuli Regency Government.

Secretary of BPBD Central Tapanuli, Tanti Harahap, stated that there are no longer any evacuees from Central Tapanuli Regency staying in tents. She said most evacuees are now living in temporary housing. Meanwhile, recipients of temporary housing have moved to relatives’ houses.

However, Tanti said Central Tapanuli Regency has not yet been able to confirm the number of permanent housing units needed. This is because the local government is still continuously collecting data on residents who want permanent housing built. Tanti explained that the local government is having difficulty collecting data on residents due to the vast area of Central Tapanuli and the scattered and hard-to-access disaster locations.

“Therefore, the Regency Government needs to ask the residents whether they are willing to have permanent housing built. It’s impossible to build permanent housing for them if they don’t want it. They must be asked where they want to go and think about it first,” said Tanti when contacted by Tempo on 25 March 2026.