JAKARTA – The government is taking direct action on the ground to address the floods and landslides that have hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, ensuring swift and strategic steps in evacuation, aid distribution, and infrastructure restoration.
Central-regional collaboration is key to effective disaster management, from emergency response to rehabilitation and reconstruction preparation.
President Prabowo Subianto directly led the disaster management process.
Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian stated that President Prabowo was directly in charge of handling the floods this time.
“The President gave the direct order, the command came from him,” he said.
Tito explained that all forces had been deployed to evacuate victims and distribute logistical aid, including to areas that were still isolated.
The central government is also preparing damage data collection in three provinces and will assist with infrastructure repairs if the affected areas are unable to do so.
“The first step is to evacuate victims. We are currently working to identify those still buried. We are also helping those affected, including those whose homes are flooded, those in evacuation centers, and so on,” Tito said.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasized that his ministry is focused on opening access roads affected by the disaster.
Several points in Aceh and North Sumatra can now be accessed by small vehicles, although access for heavy trucks is still limited.
Dody added that emergency measures were being taken by utilizing temporary emergency routes, such as arranging coconut tree trunks so that cars and motorbikes could pass.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf explained that the government has established 30 public kitchens that serve around 80,000 meals daily to affected residents.
The public kitchen is run by more than 500 Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) personnel who also assist with evacuations.
“We have also established several public kitchens in approximately 30 locations, both in collaboration with the local government and independently established by the community,” said Gus Ipul.
The government is preparing temporary and permanent housing for victims, as well as providing death benefits of IDR 15 million and injury benefits of IDR 5 million.
“This is a form of compassion to ease the burden and strengthen our togetherness in the midst of disaster,” he said.
The swift response, cross-agency coordination, and logistical readiness demonstrate the government’s visible presence on the ground, ensuring public safety and accelerating recovery from the floods and landslides in Sumatra. (*)
