Government Distributes Large-Scale Social Assistance to Sumatra Flood Victims
Jakarta – The government has ensured that the distribution of social assistance to flood and landslide victims in Sumatra is being carried out in a massive and coordinated manner. This effort aims to reach all affected areas, including those isolated due to infrastructure damage.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, stated that logistical assistance has been sent by land, sea, and air. He emphasized that the government is mobilizing all resources to ensure that affected communities immediately receive the assistance they need.
“We have sent more than 500,000 tons of aid from various sources, including basic food packages, ready-to-eat meals, medicines, tents, blankets, and other direct assistance to affected residents,” he said.
Pratikno added that the government is strengthening the disaster management command structure at the provincial and district levels to ensure effective aid distribution. He stated that the involvement of regional agencies is a crucial step to ensure coordinated logistics distribution and evacuation efforts.
In addition to land routes, large amounts of aid are also being mobilized by air.
“400 transport aircraft have been deployed for large-scale logistics mobilization. More than 50 helicopters from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) are also being used to reach isolated areas,” he explained. He added that sea routes are also being utilized. “This is supported by logistics deliveries via sea routes using TNI ships,” Pratikno said.
The government is not only focusing on aid distribution, but also ensuring the rapid return of public services. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are being mobilized to resume telecommunications services, fuel distribution, and restore road access and logistics routes in affected areas.
In Aceh, logistical support was further strengthened with the arrival of an Airbus A-400MRTT aircraft with Tail Number A-4001 at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, Aceh. The aircraft carried 24 tons of social assistance, departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta.
The aid included medicines, staple foods, medical equipment, generators, Starlink devices, and clothing for communities affected by flash floods in several areas of Aceh. All aid will undergo a data collection process before being distributed to affected areas.
The Commander of Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Force Base and Commander of the Aceh Air Force Task Force, Colonel Nav Sudaryanto, ensured that the distribution process would be expedited.
“All aid arriving will be recorded by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) at the SIM Air Force Base Integrated Command Post before being further distributed to the community,” he said.
He emphasized that aid distribution would be carried out by air to expedite reach to remote areas.
“We will distribute aid by air to expedite reach to isolated areas,” he said.
The government reiterated its commitment to continue providing support until the condition of the people of Sumatra gradually recovers and the basic needs of all affected residents are met. (*)
