Jakarta — The government, through the National Amil Zakat Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Baznas RI), has distributed 20,000 school supply kits to students affected by flooding in several regions of Sumatra. This assistance is part of the government’s rapid response to ensure the continuity of children’s education in post-disaster conditions.
Chairman of Baznas RI, Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Achmad, MA, stated that the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to ensuring that children can continue accessing education after a disaster.
“Baznas is committed to ensuring that children’s education continues. Economic hardship caused by disasters must not become a barrier to learning,” he said.
The 20,000 school kits distributed include essential items such as school bags, notebooks, stationery, and other supporting supplies. In addition, Baznas also provided religious equipment to support social and spiritual recovery. This assistance includes 30,000 sarongs and prayer garments (mukena), 30,000 copies of the Qur’an, as well as carpets and sound system packages for 500 mosques in affected areas.
The distribution of aid is being carried out in stages and in coordination with various local stakeholders, including regional governments and disaster response volunteers. This approach is intended to ensure that assistance is well targeted and reaches the most severely affected areas.
The government views the continuity of education for children affected by disasters as a top priority in every disaster response effort. Prolonged disruption to education can have long-term impacts on the quality of human resources in the future.
Beyond physical assistance, the distribution of school supplies also conveys a message of solidarity and social care to students. Amid the difficult post-disaster situation, the attention and support from the state are expected to foster enthusiasm and motivation among children to continue learning and pursuing their aspirations.
Member of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Muhammad Hilman Mufidi, called on schools to play an active role in helping the mental recovery of affected students. “We hope schools can assist in the mental recovery process of students, most of whom have experienced trauma following the Sumatra disaster,” Hilman said.
Previously, Hilman also urged the government to ensure the fulfillment of students’ basic educational needs, including school supplies as well as the repair of facilities and infrastructure damaged by the disaster.
Through concrete steps such as the distribution of 20,000 school supply kits for students affected by the floods in Sumatra, the government reaffirmed its commitment to being present for the community at every stage of a disaster, from emergency response to recovery.