Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will distribute drought-relief aid to Puncak District, Central Papua, on August 2, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

"Hopefully, the assistance will help our brothers there," said BNPB Head Suharyanto in a press statement released in Jakarta on Monday.

He said that he will personally hand over the logistical assistance and various essential equipment to the local government, along with Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Cultural Affairs (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy.

The central government will distribute 13,000 packages of instant food, 3,000 packages of milk, 3,000 packages of basic necessities, 2,000 foldable tents, 10,000 blankets, 2,000 mattresses, 2,000 foldable beds, 2,000 sets of children's clothing, and 2,000 sets of adult clothing.

The local government will also receive assistance in the form of four units of refuge tents, 20 units of power generators, three trail motorbikes, and 50 tons of rice.

Due to the region's difficult terrain, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) will assist the government during the distribution process by providing suitable vehicles for navigating the terrain, such as motorbikes and helicopters.

Despite the likely difficulty, Suharyanto affirmed that the government will ensure that the local communities will receive the aid.

President Joko Widodo earlier instructed related stakeholders to take immediate measures to deal with the effects of extreme weather in Central Papua.

"I have instructed the PMK Coordinating Minister, Social Affairs Minister, BNPB, and the local government in the region to tackle the issue as soon as possible," he said after inaugurating the Ciliwung sewer in Jakarta on Monday.

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Translator: Devi Nindy, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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