Indonesia Prepares Emergency Housing Support for Sumatra Flood Victims

Jakarta: The Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas has begun preparing housing assistance for residents affected by the devastating floods and landslides across Sumatra, Minister Maruarar Sirait announced on Thursday.

Sirait said ministry teams are currently stationed in impacted regions to assess damage and determine the scale of housing needs. He emphasized that the central government stands ready to assist local administrations throughout the post-disaster recovery process.

While decisions about relocation sites lie with regional governments, Sirait stressed that his ministry will provide full technical guidance to ensure resettlement areas are both safe and practical for survivors.

“We will support local governments with our expertise, ensuring proposed relocation zones remain secure and close to essential facilities such as schools, hospitals, markets, and workplaces,” said Sirait, as quoted from Antara, Friday 5 December 2025.

To accelerate temporary housing efforts, the ministry has prepared Simple Healthy Instant Houses (RISHA) that can be deployed immediately. More than 400 units are currently available in Medan, with another 100 units on standby in Bandung. Additional units can be mobilized if needed.

Sirait also confirmed that coordination between ministries and local governments is being strengthened to ensure recovery moves swiftly and efficiently.

He has assigned three director generals to directly inspect the condition of homes damaged by the floods and landslides. Field teams have been instructed to move quickly so that assistance reaches survivors without delay.