Editor’s Note
- Thousands of temporary housing units for disaster refugees in North Sumatra nearing completion
- Construction of permanent housing units completed
- Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan (R3P)
Thousands of temporary housing units for disaster refugees in North Sumatra nearing completion
The provincial government of North Sumatra (Pemprov) is continuing its efforts to eliminate post-disaster displacement. Thousands of temporary housing units (Huntara) for displaced persons are therefore nearing completion.
Construction of 1,427 temporary housing units is currently underway. These units are spread across various locations in Central Tapanuli (Tapteng) and South Tapanuli (Tapsel).
Currently, 909 families, or 3,506 people, are still staying in evacuation shelters. This was announced by Basarin Yunus Tanjung, Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare, during a press conference of the North Sumatra Communications and Information Agency at the Dekranasda lobby of North Sumatra, Governor’s Office, Jalan Diponegoro, Medan, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Several temporary housing units (Huntara) had previously been occupied by residents affected by the disaster. At the Simarpinggan football field, South Angkola District, 186 units were available; at the Aek Latong hamlet, Marsada village, Sipirok District, 118 units; at Adiankoting, 40 units; at the Pinangsori Hajj Sleeping Center, 52 units; at the Balerong Pasar Tukka site, 12 units; and at the Pandan Rusunawa site, 90 units. Several other temporary housing projects are still under development.
“Now that the facilities and construction are complete, everyone will be housed in temporary housing. Hopefully, they can stay there for Eid,” said Basarin, who also chairs the North Sumatra Disaster Management Center.
Construction of Permanent Housing Completed
In addition to the construction of temporary shelters (Huntara), the North Sumatra provincial government has also provided housing allowances to 313 families. This allowance is being provided pending the completion of the construction of permanent housing.
Some residents will still receive housing allowances. This allowance was initially provided by the North Sumatra provincial government, followed by a three-month waiting period from the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB).
Furthermore, residents currently staying in temporary shelters will be relocated to permanent housing, the construction of which is currently underway.
Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Plan (R3P)
The North Sumatra provincial government has also completed the Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Plan (R3P). The document estimates the required budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction program at 30.5 trillion Indonesian rupees. The program is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2028.
Basarin added that 40 people are still missing. Although the large-scale search has ended, the team will continue searching if any traces of victims are found.
“The total number of deaths has been confirmed at 376. This number increased by one after the discovery of the last victim. Meanwhile, 40 people are still missing,” Basarin said. ***rel
