ITB Presents Huntara 2nd Anniversary for Cisarua Avalanche Victims, West Bandung

Temporary housing units that can be set up within two days are presented by ITB for Cisarua landslide victims, West Bandung. ANTARA/HO-ITB

BANDUNG - The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) has presented a temporary residence (huntara) based on the reciprocal frame system which can be built in just two days for residents affected by landslides in Kampung Pasir Kuning, Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua, West Bandung.

Head of the ITB Architect Team, Andry Widyowijatnoko, explained that the speed aspect was the key to handling the post-disaster housing crisis. This 6x6 meter hunting ground is designed modularly using wood materials so that it is easy to assemble and can move the local economy.

"This huntara structure system can be made in modules, then arranged and built so that the work is very fast. This huntara was established in two days," said Andry as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 20.

The design of the building is made flexible so that its length can be expanded according to the needs of the number of residents. One housing unit is currently able to accommodate two families with a total of seven family members.

The huntara assistance was handed over by ITB on the first day of Ramadan, Thursday (19/2), by Rector Tatacipta Dirgantara as part of the Cisarua Bangkit Village Program which is a unified humanitarian response after the disaster.

"The presence of ITB on the first day of Ramadan is a real mission for universities in providing direct impact during emergency conditions such as disasters. Since last November in Sumatra on the second day of the disaster, ITB sent a team, and until today it is still continuing in three provinces carrying out its mission," said Tatacipta.

Director of Community Service and ITB Expertise Services Zulfiadi Zulhan said his party had deployed four expert teams since the second day of the disaster in Cisarua, which included risk management, health, settlement, and water and sanitation.

"Hopefully this temporary residence can be useful for mothers and fathers who are affected. Hopefully in the future their lives will improve," said Zulfiadi.

For affected residents such as Ayi Kurniawan (43), this assistance became a focus of hope after his house was swept away by a landslide.

"It really helped me who was affected by the disaster, whose house was gone. It's nice to have someone from ITB come and help," said Ayi.

Apart from housing, the collaboration between ITB, Rumah Amal Salman, and alumni is also reported to have distributed 110 food packages, health services for 250 residents, and psychosocial assistance to restore the community's condition holistically.