KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian government is fast-tracking the construction of temporary housing for residents displaced by floods and landslides in Palembayan, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. As one of the hardest-hit areas, Palembayan is slated to receive 133 temporary housing units.

Footage released by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, shows heavy machinery clearing and leveling the designated site, while construction materials have begun arriving.

To expedite the initial phase, dozens of Indonesian Military personnel have been deployed. They are working alongside BNPB officials and Public Works Ministry staff, who are conducting land surveys and site mapping.

The temporary housing complex will be built on the soccer field of state-run elementary school SDN Kayu Pasak 05, covering approximately 6,000 square meters. “The shelters are designed in a semi-detached or kopel barracks format, with each block consisting of two units. The current focus is on road preparation and site development,” BNPB reported on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

The Agam Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) noted that overall demand for temporary housing across 16 affected subdistricts in Agam Regency has reached 525 units, with severe residential damage identified in seven of them. “The 525 units are prioritized for victims whose homes were either heavily damaged or rendered uninhabitable,” said BPBD Agam head Rahmat Lasmono.

In parallel, Housing and Residential Areas Minister Maruarar Sirait confirmed that permanent housing projects for disaster victims across Sumatra will begin this month in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. He emphasized that 2,603 permanent units are ready for immediate construction, despite the region still being in the emergency response phase.

“We are prepared to build 2,603 houses for our brothers and sisters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. These are not temporary shelters, but permanent homes. We ask for your prayers so that construction can begin soon,” Maruarar said. (Annaila Azzahra/Lasti Martina)