Hope is slowly returning to the flood-stricken villages of Andam Dewi Subdistrict in Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, where newly built permanent homes are beginning to replace the devastation left by last year’s disaster.
On Feb. 26, the Caritas Indonesia Network, the humanitarian agency of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), launched the “Compassion Homes Movement,” an initiative aimed at restoring dignity and security to families whose homes were destroyed by massive floods that struck Sumatra in late November 2025.
The movement was inaugurated in Kebun Pisang Village in Badiri District, Central Tapanuli Regency. The launch included the symbolic handover of two completed houses to disaster-affected families in Pangaribuan and Sijungkang villages in Andam Dewi Subdistrict.
Church and civic leaders attended the ceremony, including Bishop Fransiskus Tuaman Sinaga of Sibolga; Bishop Siprianus Hormat of Ruteng, secretary of the Supervisory Board of the Karina-KWI Foundation; and Caritas Indonesia Executive Director Fr. Fredy Rante Taruk of the Archdiocese of Makassar.
Photo credit: Caritas Indonesia KWI
Disaster that displaced thousands
The housing initiative forms part of a broader recovery effort following the catastrophic floods and landslides of Nov. 25, 2025.
The disaster caused widespread destruction across three provinces in Sumatra and damaged or destroyed more than 158,000 houses.
For months, thousands of families have remained in temporary shelters. Beyond the loss of homes, the disaster disrupted livelihoods, education, health services, and the sense of safety essential to family life.
In response, Caritas Indonesia launched two key programs: an Emergency Appeal (EA) and the Compassion Homes Movement.
Collaboration across Church and government
Under the initiative, Caritas Indonesia acts as the coordinator while Caritas-PSE of the Diocese of Sibolga serves as the implementing agency. The project also reflects solidarity among dioceses across Indonesia.
A day before the official launch, Caritas Indonesia and the Central Tapanuli Regency government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support post-disaster recovery.
The agreement was signed by Fr. Fredy Rante Taruk and Regional Secretary Binsar Sitanggang, formalizing cooperation between the Church and local authorities.
Local officials expressed appreciation for Caritas’ presence, noting that its intervention has helped accelerate recovery and enabled communities to return more quickly to normal life.
Photo credit: Caritas Indonesia KWI
Building back better
Fr. Walter Manurung, director of Caritas-PSE of the Diocese of Sibolga, said the housing program began with a comprehensive assessment using government data. Caritas teams also visited potential beneficiaries to ensure assistance reached families most in need.
Beneficiaries include families whose homes were destroyed during the floods. In accordance with government policy, the houses are being built outside officially designated Disaster-Prone Zones (ZRB). Families who previously lived in high-risk areas are relocated to safer land they legally own.
Each house costs about IDR 60 million and follows national standards set by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
The homes are Type 36 units, designed to be earthquake-resistant and equipped with two bedrooms and one bathroom. They are constructed with lightweight steel frames, rust-resistant zincalume roofing, and lightweight brick walls. The design also allows families to expand the houses in the future.
“This project adopts the ‘building back better’ principle,” Fr. Walter explained. “The designs have been adjusted to disaster risks in each area.”
Construction is expected to continue over the next 18 months.
A call to restore dignity
The movement was inspired by a pastoral visit in December 2025 by Bandung Bishop Msgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC, president of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, to Central Tapanuli.
After witnessing the conditions of displaced families, the bishop urged the Church to develop a concrete response by providing permanent and dignified housing.
“I was strongly endorsed by the bishop to implement the idea on the ground,” said Sibolga Diocese General Vicar Fr. Purwosuranto, OSC, speaking to LiCAS.
The call sparked a nationwide response within the Caritas network.
For Fr. Fredy Rante Taruk, the initiative represents more than rebuilding physical structures.
“These houses will become a fortress of dignity and security for families,” he said. “This is a movement of compassion. Every contribution helps rebuild lives.”
Caritas Indonesia is now inviting support from the faithful, private sector partners, and people of goodwill.
The organization acknowledged that building homes for hundreds, and possibly thousands, of survivors will require sustained cooperation and solidarity.
Still, the vision remains clear: to restore dignity, safety, and resilience for families rebuilding their lives after disaster.
Photo credit: Caritas Indonesia KWI
Public campaign
Speaking to LiCAS, Fr. Fredy Taruk also launched a public appeal titled “A Call to Restore Hope Through the 1,000 Compassion Homes Movement.”
“Dear Friends of Caritas,
When disaster destroys a house, what is lost is not merely walls and a roof but a family’s sense of safety, dignity, and hope for the future.
Through the 1,000 Compassion Homes Movement, Caritas Indonesia, together with the Church and Friends of Caritas, is rebuilding more than physical structures. The movement seeks to restore dignity and renew the future of families affected by disaster.
The initiative was inspired and strengthened by the call of Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, chairman of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), who continues to encourage the faithful and people of goodwill to stand in solidarity through concrete action.
From the laying of the first stone to the handover of completed model houses, every step of this journey reflects shared compassion. Each home built is a visible sign of unity, a testament that no family walks alone in the face of hardship.
Yet this mission is far from finished.
Many families are still waiting for a safe and decent place to call home. The road to recovery requires sustained solidarity, generous hearts, and collective commitment.
Caritas Indonesia invites everyone, individuals, parishes, institutions, and private partners, to continue taking part in this humanitarian movement.
One house rebuilt means one hope restored.
One family sheltered means one future secured.
Let us keep walking together in compassion.”
