Speaking at the sending-off ceremony for the Sumatra aid at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said the aid includes rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, mineral water, and other essential goods.
For sea transport, the ministry is working with the Navy, which has deployed the KRI Banda Aceh. Meanwhile, the Air Force is using C-130 Hercules aircraft to reach even the most remote and inaccessible areas.
“Shipments will go by sea using the KRI Banda Aceh. And for the Air Force, we express our deepest gratitude for this remarkable collaboration, our brothers’ efforts in the Air Force, Army, and Navy,” he said.
Sulaiman noted that the ministry immediately sent 2,000 liters of cooking oil after the Aceh provincial government contacted him requesting supplies.
As for rice stocks, the region remains secure with 83,000 tons stored in local Bulog warehouses. Nevertheless, the ministry has prepared three times the required reserves to ensure food availability for residents affected by the disaster.
The total value of the first phase of logistical aid dispatched amounts to Rp34.8 billion (approx. 2.08 million), sourced from donations by Agriculture Ministry employees and strategic partners, with contributions ranging from a few hundred thousand to several billion rupiah.
In total, the ministry had previously collected Rp75.85 billion (US$4.56 million) in relief funds.
Sulaiman emphasized that distribution will be carried out evenly based on needs in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, prioritizing ready-to-eat food and triple rice reserves to ensure food security for disaster-affected communities in all three provinces.
“All regions—West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh—will receive equal allocations. This assistance comes from the Ministry of Agriculture’s ‘Kementan Peduli’ program and contributions from our partner businesses,” he stated.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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