Kemenhut Completes Houses for Flood and Landslide Victims in Aceh Tamiang, Residents Start to Occupy

Housing built by the Ministry of Home Affairs for residents affected by floods and landslides in Sekumur Village, Sekerak District, Aceh Tamiang Regency. (Kemenhut doc)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) through the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) Forestry together with the Indonesian Forestry Police Association (IPKI) built eight housing units for residents affected by floods and landslides in Sekumur Village, Sekerak District, Aceh Tamiang Regency.

All the houses have now been completed and occupied by families who lost their homes due to the disaster.

The construction of the residence is carried out as part of the social action of the Forestry Police as well as the implementation of the Budhi Bhakti Wirawana value, the code of ethics of the Forestry Police which emphasizes dedication to the community.

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho said the role of the Forestry Police is not only limited to guarding forest areas, but also to helping the community when facing disasters.

"Budhi Bhakti Wirawana teaches that the dedication of the Forestry Police does not stop at guarding forest areas. When the community faces a disaster, these values lead us to be present, work together, and provide real benefits. Protecting the forest in essence also means protecting the lives of people who depend on it," said Dwi, Friday, July 24.

According to him, the spirit of dedication that continues to be encouraged by the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, is the foundation for the Forestry Police to provide direct benefits to the community around the forest area.

The handover of eight housing units was symbolically carried out by Dwi to Datok Desa Sekumur. This activity was also coupled with technical guidance for the empowerment of the Fire Care Community (MPA) held by the Directorate General of Forestry Gakkum.

The activity was also attended by Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives and Coordinator of the Galapana Task Force of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Disaster Recovery, T.A. Khalid. He invited the people of Sekumur Village to accelerate post-disaster recovery through empowerment in the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors.

Meanwhile, the General Chair of IPKI Sustyo Iriyono said the construction of eight housing units was the result of the joint efforts of members of the Forestry Police from various regions in Indonesia.

"This residence stands because of the spirit of togetherness of the big family of Forestry Police. Every support given by members becomes part of a joint effort to help our brothers in Aceh Tamiang. This is the meaning of Budhi Bhakti Wirawana which we realize through concrete actions," he said.

In addition to housing development, IPKI will also continue social activities through the renovation of the Al-Qur'an Education Park (TPA) in Sulum Village, Sekerak District, ahead of the 81st anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. This program is part of a series of social activities carried out by the Forestry Police organization in disaster-affected areas.