RRI.CO.ID, Tapanuli Selatan - Residents of Garoga Village in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumtra are transforming salvaged logs into independent temporary housing, known locally as huntara. Rather than waiting solely for government assistance, survivors have taken the initiative to clear the environment while simultaneously rebuilding their lives.

The stranded timber, which was swept down by the floodwaters, is now being repurposed as the primary structural foundation for new, self-made residences.

Indra Batubara, a resident of Garoga Village, has become a pioneer of this self-help movement. He views the use of the scattered logs as a strategic way to manage the massive amount of wood waste that still litters the area.

“We are building this Huntara by utilizing the leftover logs from the previous flood. Because indeed, these can be utilized as the foundation for this house,” Indra said on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Indra’s independent shelter spans 35 square meters and includes a living room and a bedroom. To complete a single unit, he requires approximately 14 large logs, which are meticulously cut to meet the building's structural requirements.

Although the government has already provided official temporary shelters in a nearby location, Indra chose to construct his own version to better facilitate his family's specific needs.

For many survivors, these shelters are not just places to sleep but the foundations for new livelihoods. Indra plans to convert the front porch of his home into a small coffee shop to sustain his family’s economy in the aftermath of the disaster.

“We started building this yesterday on March 10 and plan to finish it before Lebaran. Later in the front, it will also be used to open a coffee stall,” he said.

This entrepreneurial spirit is echoed in other temporary housing complexes. Derma Siregar, a resident of a government-provided huntara, has already opened a small stall selling snacks, coffee, tea, and mobile vouchers.

“As for living here, we feel comfortable. Because all the facilities are already there, the bathrooms and open spaces are also available,” Derma noted, highlighting that the stability of the housing has allowed her to focus on earning a living.

The sense of gratitude is shared by newcomers like Lina Hutabarat, who recently moved into her unit and began selling fresh vegetables to her neighbors.

“We also just lived here and we started selling these vegetables today. So, not many people know yet that we are selling vegetables,” she shared.

Currently, 245 families have successfully transitioned into the huntara facilities in Napa Village, Batangtoru District. As the deadline for the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah holiday approaches, the residents of South Tapanuli continue to work at an accelerated pace, proving that even the wreckage of a disaster can be used to build a hopeful future. ***