KBRN, Jakarta: The Ministry of Housing and Residential Areas (PKP) has been appointed as the lead agency for the recovery of settlements following recent natural disasters in Sumatra. The decision was made during the Coordination Meeting for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian emphasized the urgent need to relocate and adjust spatial planning in disaster-prone areas. He noted that many residential areas in Sumatra are no longer viable due to their high landslide risk. “For the housing sector, the main leading sector is the Ministry of PKP under Minister Maruarar Sirait,” Tito said.

He also urged relevant agencies to accelerate data collection on damaged houses so that assistance can be distributed efficiently through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) stressed that rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts must be based on disaster risk mitigation and adaptation.

He called for a thorough evaluation of land use to ensure that permanent housing sites are legally “clean and clear” and environmentally resilient.

Strengthening environmental resilience, he added, would involve rehabilitating river basins and relocating settlements that are physically unsuitable for rebuilding. The aim is to ensure that new housing developments can withstand future environmental challenges.

Minister of Housing Maruarar Sirait, popularly known as Ara, reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating the construction of permanent housing (huntap) for affected residents.

He insisted that these homes must not only be disaster-proof and legally sound but also located near healthy social and economic ecosystems. “We want to ensure that disaster-affected communities not only receive new homes, but also a decent, safe, and sustainable life,” Maruarar said. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)