“We are opening a post at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in collaboration with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB),” Commander of the National Air Operations Command Vice Marshal Minggit Tribowo said at the air base on Friday.
He noted that the base has already been serving as the main hub for logistics dispatch over the past several days.
The post will accommodate aid from government agencies and related parties before being transported to affected regions.
“After the logistics are collected, the Air Force will deploy its transport aircraft to deliver the aid to North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. The number of aircraft will depend on the size of the aid load to be transported,” he said.
Tribowo added that the post will remain open for any agencies or organizations wishing to send supplies to flood victims in Sumatra.
On Friday, the government deployed four Air Force transport aircraft — three Hercules C-130s and one A400M — from Halim Perdanakusuma to deliver relief supplies.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the shipments included refugee tents, rubber boats, generators, and communication equipment.
“There are around 150 tents and 64 rubber boats, which are crucial for evacuations. Then there are generators for electrical equipment. Around 100 communication devices have been dispatched to restore communication signals,” Teddy said.
He added that ready-to-eat food, medical personnel, and medicines are also being sent.
Supplies will be unloaded at airports nearest to the disaster zones before being distributed by land or helicopter.
“The aid will be distributed to Padang, West Sumatra; then to Silangit Airport in North Sumatra’s Tapanuli region; and to Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe in North Aceh, as they are the closest airports to the affected areas,” Teddy explained.
He assured that deliveries to all three provinces would continue simultaneously until conditions in the flood-hit regions stabilize.
Related news: Indonesia deploys weather modification, aid to flood-hit Sumatra
Related news: Basarnas reinforces flood response in Sumatra with sea operations
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
