Jakarta – The government has ensured that the distribution of social assistance to flood and landslide victims in Sumatra is massive and coordinated. This effort aims to reach all affected areas, including those isolated by infrastructure damage.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, announced that logistical aid has been sent by land, sea, and air. He emphasized that the government is mobilizing all resources to ensure that affected communities receive the assistance they need promptly.
“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 believes that involving regional agencies is crucial for coordinated logistics distribution and evacuation efforts.
Apart from land routes, large amounts of aid were also 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.
Beyond focusing on aid distribution, the government is also ensuring the swift resumption of public services. State-owned enterprises are mobilizing 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, tail number A-4001, at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport in Aceh. The aircraft was carrying 24 tons of social aid, departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta.
The aid includes 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, confirmed that the distribution process would be accelerated.
“All aid that arrives will be recorded by the BNPB at the SIM Air Force Base Integrated Post before being distributed further to the community,” he said.
He emphasized that aid distribution would be carried out by air to speed up reach to remote areas.
“We will distribute the supplies by air to speed up access to isolated areas,” he said.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing support until the situation in Sumatra gradually recovers and the basic needs of all affected residents are met. (*)