Agam Residents Begin Occupying Temporary Housing Following Flash Floods

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Rows of temporary housing now stand neatly in Kayu Pasak, Nagari Salareh Aia, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. These cream-colored wooden structures with zinc roofing were prepared by the government for victims of the devastating flash floods that occurred in November 2025.

Nagari Salareh Aia was recorded as the most severely impacted area in West Sumatra. The flash floods destroyed dozens of homes, forcing residents into displacement after losing their primary residences.

The government constructed 3x6 meter temporary units for each affected family. These units come equipped with mattresses, stoves, cleaning kits, electricity, and food assistance.

A total of 117 temporary housing units have been completed and are now occupied in Nagari Salareh Aia. Daily life is beginning to resurface as residents are seen conversing on their porches and organizing their belongings. 

Children have also been observed playing around the complex, signaling a slow return to normalcy for a community struck by disaster just months ago.

Ramalis, a resident now living in the complex, recounted how his original home was leveled by the floods two months ago. While expressing gratitude for the current shelter, his hopes remain fixed on the future.

"Thank God, we have temporary housing now. But of course, my hope for the future is to secure a permanent home soon," Ramalis said in a written release on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Meanwhile, Tito Karnavian, Chairperson of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, lauded the rapid response of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). These efforts were bolstered by the Indonesian Military, as well as the provincial and regency administration, in completing the housing project.

Tito explained that the government has prepared various assistance schemes to restore the lives of disaster victims in Sumatra. These include temporary housing, permanent housing, furniture allowances, and food aid.

Data collection and victim validation have been carried out by the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) across three disaster-affected provinces in Sumatra. Once validation is finalized, Tito urges for the immediate disbursement of funds to accelerate recovery.

"Once validated, the aid for affected residents must be paid out immediately. The key is the data," he said. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)