Yustinus Paat, Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – The number of people displaced by disasters in Sumatra since late November 2025 has fallen sharply from more than 2 million at its peak to fewer than 13,000, as temporary shelter construction reached about 50% completion, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said.

Speaking at a meeting with House of Representatives leaders at the parliamentary complex in Senayan on Wednesday, Tito said 12,994 evacuees remain in emergency tents, down from more than two million in December 2025. The deadly floods and landslides that struck West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh in November claimed about 1,200 lives and caused tens of trillions of rupiah in damage to infrastructure and housing.

Of the 16,688 temporary housing units proposed across affected areas, 8,290 units have been completed, equivalent to roughly half of the target. Progress on permanent housing, however, remains limited. Of 16,329 proposed permanent units, only 1,254 are currently under construction.

In Aceh, authorities proposed 14,697 temporary housing units. For permanent housing, 9,246 units were requested, with 302 units currently under construction.

In North Sumatra, 993 temporary units were proposed, with 893 completed. Permanent housing proposals total 3,462 units, of which 297 are under construction.

Meanwhile, West Sumatra proposed 728 temporary units, with 721 completed. Of the 3,611 permanent houses planned, 655 units are currently being built.

To support families during the transition period, the government has distributed a housing waiting allowance of Rp 1.8 million ($106) per household for three months to residents who remain in temporary shelters. Distribution is nearly complete, reaching 93.87 percent of eligible households in Aceh, 99.47 percent in North Sumatra, and around 96 percent in West Sumatra.

The funds were transferred directly to beneficiaries using verified name-and-address data validated by Indonesia's national statistics agency.

Danantara's contribution

Separately, sovereign wealthfund Danantara Indonesia, reported completing 1,398 temporary housing units across the three provinces as part of its first-phase program, with most units already occupied.

Danantara Chief Operating Officer Dony Oskaria said the agency is proposing additional units, particularly in Aceh and West Sumatra. Danantara is also preparing plans to convert around 15,000 temporary units into permanent housing in coordination with the Ministry of Housing.

"We will begin coordinating permanent housing development in the three provinces," Dony said, adding that groundbreaking for permanent housing construction is scheduled to begin in West Sumatra on Thursday.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/13000-evacuees-still-in-temporary-shelters-after-sumatra-disaster