Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs has shipped emergency relief to flood- and landslide-hit areas in West Sumatra, North Sumatra and Aceh after days of extreme weather caused widespread destruction.
Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto conveyed condolences to affected communities during a handover ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said the aid is intended to meet urgent needs and support response operations already underway.
The government is prioritizing evacuations, distribution of supplies, medical assistance and the rapid restoration of damaged infrastructure, transport links and communications networks.
Airlangga said the effort aims to ensure relief reaches affected districts quickly and in a coordinated manner.
The minister oversaw the dispatch of about 40 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including food, beverages and medical items.
The shipment was provided by the ministry and private partners such as the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (GAPMMI), the Indonesian Textile Association (API), the Indonesian Retailers Association (APRINDO), Astra, Yayasan Matauli and other contributors.
Before this delivery, the government and private partners had sent an additional 160 tonnes of essential goods to the three provinces, including 50 Starlink units and 22,000 military meal packages. Officials said the shipments underscore the government’s commitment to strengthening relief operations across Sumatra.
Airlangga thanked volunteers, the police, military, regional authorities and local communities for their cooperation. He called for continued coordination to maintain effective evacuations, medical services and recovery efforts.
He stressed that aid distribution must be swift, targeted and transparent to prevent delays in reaching displaced residents.
West Sumatra, North Sumatra and Aceh have faced severe flooding and landslides since late November, triggered by extreme rainfall linked to Cyclone Senyar and made worse by forest ecosystem degradation.
Translator: Bayu Saputra, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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