Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – The government is accelerating post-disaster recovery across northern Sumatra after months of slow progress, prioritizing the construction of temporary housing to relocate thousands of evacuees ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said it is currently focusing on accelerating the completion of the remaining 2,418 temporary houses out of a total 4,189 needed for victims of the flash floods and landslides in Aceh Tamiang regency, one of the worst-hit areas in last year's hydrometeorological disasters across three provinces in northern Sumatra.
BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said construction has now entered its final stages and is expected to be completed by the second week of March.
"With this accelerated effort, BNPB is optimistic that all survivors will be able to move into comfortable temporary housing in time for this year's Idul Fitri," Abdul told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, referring to the religious celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, observed by Indonesia's majority Muslim population.
Authorities have also begun dismantling emergency tents that had housed evacuees since the disaster struck in November.
At least 1,207 people were killed and 138 remain missing in the calamity, which affected 53 regencies and cities across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, according to BNPB data.
More than 8,000 residents were left homeless, with Aceh emerging as the worst-hit province, accounting for nearly half of the fatalities and the majority of evacuees.
Across Aceh province, temporary housing construction is about 60 percent complete, according to Aceh provincial secretary M. Nasir, who said the goal remains to relocate "all evacuees before Idul Fitri."
The progress follows months of sluggish post-disaster recovery efforts, which observers say have been hampered by budget constraints linked to austerity measures under President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
Beyond Aceh, temporary housing in North Sumatra has reached 92 percent of its total target, while West Sumatra has completed all its temporary homes, according to the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Acceleration Task Force.
The PRR noted that the progress has reduced the number of evacuee families in North Sumatra from 201 to 177, while West Sumatra no longer has any families living in evacuation tents.
"This trend will continue to decline until the upcoming Idul Fitri," PRR spokesperson Amran said on Monday at the Home Ministry, kompas.com reported.
Restoring connectivity
In addition to housing, the government also highlighted the rapid construction of emergency bridges in disaster-hit and remote regions, aimed at restoring mobility for communities isolated by the disaster.
During a virtual ceremony on Monday, President Prabowo inaugurated 218 newly built bridges in disaster-prone areas across the country, including northern Sumatra. The bridges include 77 bailey, 59 armco and 82 pioneer types.
"Now I sleep more easily because children in remote villages no longer have to cross rivers in dangerous circumstances and sit in classes with wet clothes," Prabowo said during the ceremony.
He praised the intense efforts of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and other state officers deployed in disaster-hit regions and remote villages.
Since last year's disaster, damaged roads and collapsed crossings had slowed aid deliveries and complicated evacuation and recovery efforts for months.
Officials said the temporary bridges are designed to quickly restore access while permanent structures are planned for the future.