Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, joined by North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, inspected food-aid stockpiles at the Soewondo Air Base logistics hub in Medan on Thursday to ensure relief moves quickly to flood and landslide survivors.
The visit capped his trip across three disaster-hit areas—Agam in West Sumatra, South Tapanuli in North Sumatra, and Aceh Singkil in Aceh—following President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to secure fast, accurate distribution of aid.
Gibran toured the warehouse, reviewed essential supplies, and received a briefing from Col. Pas Firman Manurung, who said the depot functions as an air task-force hub, with aid sourced from Medan residents and shipments from Jakarta.
He reviewed storage conditions and urged faster distribution as demand climbs, calling for stronger warehouse management, smoother loading operations, and tighter coordination among agencies, particularly for remote areas where access remains limited.
Gibran also directed authorities to maintain transparent, integrated tracking of incoming and outgoing aid to ensure accurate monitoring across the logistics chain.
Relief channeled through Soewondo Air Base is being dispatched to Sibolga city, Central Tapanuli district, Aceh Tamiang district, Lhokseumawe city, Rembele, and other affected areas.
Before departing for Jakarta, Gibran told Governor Bobby that he would return next week to review progress, particularly the deployment of heavy equipment.
"We will be back here next week,” he said.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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