Jakarta, Dec. 19 -- Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian affirmed that the Indonesian government will soon start the groundbreaking of around 2,600 permanent housing units for flood- and landslide-affected residents in Sumatra.

Speaking at a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Friday, he noted that the construction is an initiative of Housing and Settlements Minister Maruarar Sirait in cooperation with several foundations.

"We have spent more than 10 days checking the locations. There are 2,600 units," Karnavian told the press.

He explained that the 2,600 permanent housing units are divided across three provinces: 1,000 units in North Sumatra, 600 units in West Sumatra, and 1,000 units in Aceh. Permanen...