BNPB prepares Huntara for thousands of North Sumatra residents who lost their homes

A tree trunk that was swept away by the flood broke through the wall of a resident's house in Lingkungan IV, Hutanabolon Village, Tukka, Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Sunday (7/12/2025). ANTARA/M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has started to prepare the construction of temporary housing (huntara) for residents affected by floods and landslides in North Sumatra Province who have lost their homes.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said the construction of the huntara was an important part of handling refugees whose houses were severely damaged or lost.

BNPB data recorded a total of 28,708 damaged houses in North Sumatra Province, with 5,158 of them in the heavy damage category and 1,068 units reported missing or washed away by the flood.

Langkat Regency was recorded as the region with the most damaged houses, namely 11,273 units, followed by Tapanuli Tengah Regency with 6,481 units and Tapanuli Selatan Regency with 4,624 units.

As a first step, according to Abdul, the construction of 102 huntara units has begun in North Tapanuli Regency since Saturday (13/12) to accommodate affected residents who have not been able to return to their homes.

Meanwhile, in South Tapanuli Regency, it has been agreed that the relocation location is on land owned by PTPN IV Batang Toru Garden and Hapesong Garden for the plan to build 488 huntara units.

Abdul said that the process of handling refugees and providing humanitarian assistance was carried out gradually by involving local governments so that it was in accordance with the needs and social conditions of the local community.

At the same time, BNPB also ensures the distribution of logistical assistance and ensures the restoration of infrastructure access to support the recovery of the activities of affected communities.