By: Zaki Walad)
Disasters always strike without warning, leaving physical and psychological scars on affected communities. However, it is the way the state responds to disasters that determines whether people’s suffering lingers or gradually heals. In the context of the disasters that have hit several regions in Sumatra, the government’s move to build temporary shelters (hunian sementara / huntara) deserves recognition as a concrete, measurable manifestation of the state’s presence—one that offers hope.
For disaster-affected communities, losing a home is not merely the loss of a physical structure. A home is a safe space, a place of refuge, and the center of family life. Therefore, when flash floods and other natural disasters struck several areas in Sumatra, the impact felt by residents was not only material, but also psychological. In such circumstances, the presence of the state becomes a primary source of hope and a determining factor in whether communities are able to rise again or remain trapped in prolonged uncertainty.
Today, that hope is beginning to be felt in a tangible way. The construction of temporary shelters in various disaster-affected areas marks a transition from the emergency phase toward recovery. In West Sumatra, for example, hundreds of huntara units have begun to be built across several regencies and cities. Some of these units have even been completed and are already being occupied by residents. From the community’s perspective, this is not merely a development project, but clear evidence that they have not been abandoned.
Stories from residents who have started living in huntara illustrate a significant change in their daily lives. After previously living in evacuation tents with limited space, privacy, and comfort, they now have more decent housing. Basic facilities such as clean water, electricity, sleeping areas, and simple kitchens provide a sense of security that is deeply meaningful. For affected families, being able to sleep peacefully and cook their own meals represents a simple luxury that had been lost due to the disaster.
This sense of comfort is often expressed by residents in straightforward and honest terms. They feel that assistance is being delivered, basic needs are being met, and conditions are far better than in emergency shelters. Although these temporary shelters have not fully replaced the homes they lost, their presence marks an important turning point. From a disaster management perspective, transitional phases like this often determine the speed of social and psychological recovery.
Interestingly, alongside gratitude, there is also a sense of realism and maturity among affected residents. Some understand that their former homes may no longer be safe to inhabit, and they are prepared to rebuild their lives in safer locations. This attitude reflects a growing awareness of disaster risk at the community level. Relocation is no longer viewed solely as a loss, but as an effort to live more safely in the future. In this context, the government’s policy of building huntara in relatively safer locations deserves appreciation.
From the standpoint of national policy, President Prabowo Subianto’s direct visits to inspect the construction of huntaracarry special significance for residents. For communities in disaster-affected areas, direct attention from the head of state is not merely a political symbol, but a reinforcement of the feeling of being cared for. The message residents receive is simple yet powerful: the state is present and working for them. The commitment to quickly build temporary shelters so that residents do not have to remain in tents for too long provides much-needed certainty.
Furthermore, the government has also prepared follow-up measures in the form of permanent housing development. Information about future permanent homes with adequate size and quality offers long-term hope for residents. Plans to build thousands of permanent housing units, including those supported by non-state budget financing, demonstrate the state’s seriousness in restoring the lives of disaster-affected communities. For residents, this represents a promise of the future that gives them strength to endure today.
As a disaster observer, the author views what communities are currently experiencing as the result of an increasingly integrated disaster management approach. The state is no longer focused solely on evacuation and emergency assistance, but is also addressing transitional and sustainable recovery aspects. Nevertheless, the work is far from complete. Future challenges include ensuring construction quality, guaranteeing that housing locations are truly safe, and providing social and economic support so that residents can regain independence.
Equally important, these community experiences should serve as shared lessons. Disasters may not be entirely preventable, but their impacts can be minimized through preparedness, mitigation, and effective post-disaster governance. When communities directly feel the benefits of state policies, public trust grows. This trust is the most valuable social capital in facing future disasters.
Ultimately, the simple happiness of residents who can now live more decently, enjoy clean water, and resume family routines is the clearest indicator of success. From the community’s perspective, huntara are not merely temporary buildings, but symbols that in the midst of severe trials, the state is truly present. And when the state shows up through real action, people rediscover hope to rise again and rebuild their lives ahead.
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Studies Institute.