One Month in Shelters, Aceh Residents Call for Relocation and Emergency Schools

Bireuen, Aceh. NARASIMEDIA.NET – NTB Care Director Yuni Bourhany conducted a field visit to flood evacuation sites in Bale Panah Village, Bireuen Regency, Aceh. During the visit, NTB Care gathered complaints and aspirations from residents who remain in shelters after losing their homes to the floods.

Preliminary data collected by NTB Care volunteers show that at least 58 residents have lost their homes and have been living in evacuation centers for nearly a month. The prolonged displacement has raised concerns among residents, particularly regarding housing certainty and their long-term livelihoods.

Yuni Bourhany said most residents are urging immediate relocation to safer and more livable areas, as the extended stay in shelters is beginning to affect families’ psychological well-being and economic conditions.

“The message from Aceh must be conveyed to the public so that no one is overlooked in terms of attention and accommodation. They have lived in shelters for almost a month and still have no certainty about relocation,” Yuni said during a dialogue with residents on Friday (26/12).

Beyond housing issues, Yuni also highlighted the flood’s impact on children’s access to education. She noted that many children have been forced to stop attending school due to the absence of emergency learning arrangements in affected areas.

She urged local governments and relevant stakeholders to immediately find solutions to ensure children’s right to education is upheld despite the disaster.

“We hope the government will promptly prepare concrete solutions so children do not lose learning time for too long. Emergency schools or alternative learning schemes must be implemented immediately,” she emphasized.

According to Yuni, post-flood conditions in Aceh still require serious attention and swift responses, particularly in restoring housing, ensuring access to education for children, and meeting residents’ basic needs.