Sumatra: Caritas builds new homes for victims of November floods

The first two homes have been delivered to a village in the regency of Central Tapanuli for thousands of families forced to live in temporary shelters for months. A memorandum has been signed between the Catholic Church and local authorities for collaboration in reconstruction after the disaster. The goal: to restore dignity, security and hope.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - With the delivery of the first structures on 26 February, the Caritas Indonesia Network (KARINA-KWI) officially launched the ‘Houses of Compassion Movement’, an initiative aimed at providing permanent and dignified housing for families affected by the devastating floods that hit Sumatra at the end of November 2025.

The project began in the village of Kebun Pisang, in the district of Badiri, in the regency of Central Tapanuli, with the delivery of two completed houses to families in the villages of Pangaribuan and Sijungkang, in the district of Andam Dewi, North Sumatra province.

The floods and landslides of 25 November 2025 caused widespread destruction in three provinces, severely damaging or completely destroying more than 158,000 homes. Thousands of families were forced to live in temporary shelters for months, with serious consequences for the safety, health and social stability of the affected communities.

The “Houses of Compassion Movement” is part of a broader housing recovery programme promoted by Caritas Indonesia together with Caritas-PSE of the Diocese of Sibolga. Caritas Indonesia plays a coordinating and supervisory role, while the local Caritas is responsible for the practical implementation of projects in the field. The programme is also an example of inter-diocesan collaboration at the national level.

The official launch of the initiative was preceded by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Caritas Indonesia and the Government of the Regency of Central Tapanuli, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the post-disaster reconstruction phase. Local authorities expressed their gratitude for the contribution made by the Church, emphasising how its presence has accelerated the return of communities to normality.

The housing construction process is based on an accurate assessment of needs, carried out using government data and direct visits to potential beneficiaries. The houses are intended for families who completely lost their homes during the floods. In accordance with national regulations, the new buildings are constructed outside areas classified as disaster-prone. In cases where the previous homes were located in high-risk areas, families are being relocated to privately owned land, which is duly documented.

The programme, which will run over the next 18 months, has an estimated cost of around 60 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately £3,000) per housing unit. The houses have two bedrooms and one bathroom and are designed according to earthquake-resistant standards established by the National Disaster Management Agency. The structures are made of lightweight steel, corrosion-resistant zincalume roofing and lightweight brick walls. The design allows for future extensions, offering families the opportunity to gradually improve their homes.

The project is inspired by the principle of “building back better”, i.e. rebuilding in a safer and more resilient way than before, adapting housing solutions to the specific risks of each area. More than just a construction project, the “Houses of Compassion Movement” aims to be a concrete sign of solidarity and closeness to the most vulnerable families.

Caritas Indonesia has appealed to the faithful, civil society and the private sector to support the initiative. Building hundreds or thousands of houses is a significant challenge, but every contribution can make a difference. The goal is not only to provide a roof over their heads, but also to restore dignity, security and hope to communities severely affected by the disaster.