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urvivors of the devastating September 2009 earthquakes in Korong Paguh Dalam village, Kurai Taji subdistrict, Nan Sabaris, Padang Pariaman regency in West Sumatra have received 128 new houses from humanitarian organization Caritas Indonesia (Karina).

Karina’s executive director, Sigit Pramudji Pr, said at a recent hand-over that, apart from the Rp 11.5 billion-worth of houses, Karina also provided two classrooms at the Theresia elementary school in Padang. All were built to be resistant to earthquakes.

“We also provide residents with skills on how to build earthquake-resistant buildings by involving them in the development of the houses,” Sigit said.

He added that, being resistant to earthquakes, the houses would give enough time for the inhabitants to evacuate during an earthquake.

Other programs Karina provides include strengthening the structures of 150 housing units in Padang, a livelihood recovery program, a disaster risk-reduction program and psychosocial activities for children, which were jointly managed with the Padang diocese and French Caritas.

Eloi Bonal, a representative of the French Caritas, expressed admiration of the local people’s active participation in the reconstruction of the Paguh Dalam. “This is not the project of Caritas, but those of the Paguh Dalam people themselves, as each of them took part in rebuilding their own houses,” Eloi said.

“Others may see the house as small, but for us this is luxurious. We are thankful for the aid,” Ani, one of the recipients of the houses, said.

Kurai Taji subdistrict head Basri Sukumbang said there were 500 families and 350 houses in the subdistrict. Of the houses, 205 were ruined or severely damaged by the earthquakes. Thanks to Caritas, 128 of them have been rebuilt, he said.

“So far we only received 30 housing units from the government. There is not yet any information regarding when the next aid will be provided,” Basri said.

Sigit said Karina would help build 500 houses for earthquake survivors in Mentawai, West Sumatra, build a library and halls in Wasior, West Papua, and provide a livelihood program to help Mount Merapi eruption survivors economically revive.