REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN - The Mount Sinabung Eruption Mitigation Task Force has planned to build 370 houses for the refugees from Karo District. The houses would be built in the forest area located in Siosar village, Merek sub-district, Karo district, Saleh Idoan Siregar from the North Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Office (BPBD) stated following a working meeting with the provincial legislators  on Tuesday.

The type-36 houses will have a tin roof and concrete flooring. In the first phase, some 50 houses will be erected. The refugees will be allowed to take the houses on lease and reside indefinitely. A 9.2-kilometer-long road will also be constructed to support the housing development project.

"The construction of the houses is expected to be completed in 2015. Hopefully, it could be completed soon," he affirmed.

The houses will be constructed for the residents of the three villages located within the three-kilometer-radius of Mount Sinabung's peak. President Joko Widodo had earlier remarked that he wanted concrete steps to be taken to expedite the rehabilitation of the victims of Mount Sinabung's eruption in North Sumatra and the reconstruction of their damaged houses.

"Mr President wants concrete steps as soon as possible," the deputy of environment and social vulnerability coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Human and Culture Development Willem Rampangilei stated in Jakarta, on Oct. 31, 2014.

Willem made the statement after President Joko Widodo's visit to the affected areas earlier this week. The president called on the forestry minister to issue permits to convert 450 hectares of forest land into a resettlement area, Willem remarked.

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