Flood Waste Wood, Housing Solution for Victims in Aceh and North Sumatra

The form of temporary housing built from floodwood supported by its use by the Ministry of Social Affairs in North Aceh, Aceh, Sunday (11/1/2026). ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut

ACEH UTARA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is optimizing the use of flood drift wood in North Aceh and North Sumatra as part of a strategy for rapid environmental recovery as well as the provision of temporary housing for affected residents.

Head of the Gunung Leuser National Park (BBTNGL) Subhan said that as of Sunday, January 11, his party had measured 938 driftwood with a total volume of 1,506.08 cubic meters.

"This driftwood is the main material source to support the rapid and controlled construction of temporary housing," Subhan said in a confirmed statement from Jakarta, Antara, Monday, January 12.

In Langkahan District, North Aceh Regency, the Ministry of Social Affairs deployed 69 personnel with the support of 38 heavy equipment units. The heavy equipment consists of 30 units owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs, seven units owned by the TNI, as well as one excavator and three dump trucks from the Ministry of PUPR and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The activities are focused on cleaning and sorting wood in the residential area so that it can be used as a material for temporary housing construction (huntara).

From the results of the utilization of driftwood, 13 huntara units have been built. Of that number, 10 units are still in the construction process, while three units have been occupied by residents of Geudumbak Village.

Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, the handling of driftwood in Garoga Village, Huta Godang, and Aek Ngadol has entered the stage of management and utilization.

As of Sunday, January 11, processed wood from the Garoga area was recorded at 1,376 pieces with a total volume of 19,5755 cubic meters. The wood is intended for the construction of temporary housing in Batu Hula Village, Batang Toru District.

Of the total processed wood, 752 pieces or about 9.9373 cubic meters have been transported to the construction site of the huntara.