“Under the Food Bank program, Baznas has been operating a public kitchen since Saturday (Nov. 22), serving about 1,500 food packages daily,” said Head of the Baznas Distribution and Utilization Division Saidah Sakwan in a statement on Thursday.
She emphasized that the initiative is intended to ease the burden of displaced residents and reflects the agency’s commitment to providing swift food assistance to those in distress.
“We are distributing ready-to-eat meals to help citizens in need, ensuring their nutritional needs are met amid the hardships caused by the landslides,” Sakwan noted.
She explained that food distribution is being centered in several locations, including the Pandanarum sub-district government office, a sports hall in Beji Village, a Hajj building in Pringamba Village, and a Muhammadiyah-owned facility.
“Our objective is to ensure equitable distribution, including to areas with smaller numbers of survivors, so that all victims have adequate access to food,” she said.
Sakwan added that Baznas is also tailoring meals to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
“It is our priority to ensure these groups continue receiving food with sufficient nutritional content despite the challenging situation,” she said.
She further described the initiative as proof of the significant value of zakat, or Islamic alms, which can be mobilized to meet urgent public needs during disasters.
“Donations from almsgivers have enabled us to respond quickly to the disaster and provide the best possible services to victims,” Sakwan stated.
She confirmed that the Baznas public kitchen will continue operating until the end of the emergency response period.
Earlier, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the landslides had claimed at least 17 lives and displaced more than 1,000 people as of Tuesday (Nov. 25). To assist survivors, the agency is constructing 50 temporary housing units.
Translator: Sean F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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