The emergency fund was received by the district’s head, Musril, during Rismaharini's visit to the flood-hit district on Wednesday, according to a press statement from the ministry that ANTARA received on Friday.
At least Rp350 million of the total emergency fund will be allocated for the public kitchens that the authorities set up to serve the flood victims, the ministry said.
During her visit to the disaster zone, Rismaharini also handed over food packages and children's toys for those in need as well as compensation to the kin of two victims who died in the flood.
Several sub-districts in Aceh Tamiang district have been affected by flash floods that have followed recent heavy rains in the areas, which caused rivers to overflow.
Many residents have been displaced due to floodwaters entering their houses. They have taken refuge at 321 shelter points in several sub-districts.
Students of 47 elementary schools and 20 junior high schools in the district have been forced to remain home due to floodwaters inundating their schools as well as the road access to schools.
According to Aceh Tamiang district spokesperson Agusliayana Devita, learning activities in the affected schools have been suspended until further notice.
The homes of many students have also been flooded, she said.
In response to the flooding, district head Mursil said he has declared a disaster emergency status, which will remain effective for 14 days from October 30, 2022.
Several parts of Indonesia are prone to natural disasters. On October 8, for instance, floods inundated parts of six sub-districts in East Aceh district, forcing 2,436 residents to flee to safer places.
Most of the flood victims took refuge in village centers, buildings for religious rituals (meunasah), mosques, and traditional Islamic schools (dayah), according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
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Translator: Devi NSR, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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