Air Force spokesperson Air Vice Marshal I Nyoman Suadnyana said the first mission on Sunday (Nov. 30) transported 11,551 kilograms of aid from Sultan Iskandarmuda Air Base to Malikussaleh Airport in Lhokseumawe. The cargo included food, a unit of blood, and jet fuel to support ongoing relief operations.
The second airlift on Monday (Dec. 1) delivered 8,523 kilograms of relief items, including food supplies, baby and maternity essentials, prayer garments, blankets, folding mattresses, clothing, medicines, vitamins, and eight tent crates, as well as body bags from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).
“In total, the two missions delivered 20,074 kilograms or roughly 20 tons of assistance for communities affected by the flooding in Aceh,” Suadnyana said.
He said aid delivery to remote disaster-hit areas is ongoing, and the Air Force’s Quick Reaction Force (Kopasgat) has also been deployed to help evacuate residents from inundated areas. The Air Force, he added, remains prepared to fully support the humanitarian operation.
Separately, President Prabowo Subianto ordered a nationwide response to deadly flash floods and landslides across three Sumatra provinces, declaring the crisis a top national priority, officials said Wednesday.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno told a press briefing at the Sumatra Disaster Aid Post in Jakarta that President Prabowo instructed the government to treat the catastrophe in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra as a priority requiring full national resources, including the immediate release of emergency funds and logistics.
Pratikno said all ministries and state agencies had been directed to act with heightened urgency in addressing the impact of the floods and landslides.
Flash floods struck the three provinces on Tuesday (Nov. 25). The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said the confirmed death toll had risen to 804 as of Dec. 3, while 634 people remained missing.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Arie Novarina
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