Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan, announced the funding during a working meeting with Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday.
The provision of living expenses is part of a broader program aimed at mitigating the disaster's impact on higher education in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh.
“We are also providing living expenses assistance to students and lecturers affected by natural disasters amounting to Rp75.9 billion,” the Deputy Minister confirmed.
The ministry’s data, recorded as of December 6, shows that the disaster has critically affected 60 universities in the three provinces.
This includes four state universities (PTN) and 27 private universities (PTS) in Aceh; one state university and 13 private universities in North Sumatra; and nine state universities and six private universities in West Sumatra.
The disaster has impacted 1,306 lecturers and 18,824 students.
Fauzan noted that most teaching and learning activities in the affected areas were halted due to problems with access, location barriers, and the necessity of evacuating affected academic staff and students.
Beyond the humanitarian aid for living costs, the ministry is also funding programs for physical recovery and community support.
The government has dedicated an additional $2.7 million (Rp46.5 billion) to fund a community service program focused on disaster emergency response.
Furthermore, public outreach through fundraising and direct aid procurement has successfully collected over $408 thousand (Rp7.07 billion), adding to the ministry's relief efforts.
The Deputy Minister detailed that the damage assessments conducted during the emergency response phase identified numerous damaged educational facilities and infrastructure, including essential classroom learning facilities, computers, laptops, and the buildings themselves.
Critical issues like power outages, disruption to internet connections, closed road access, and damage to supporting facilities such as laboratories were also recorded, highlighting the challenge of restoring functional educational services.
"This is the identification of conditions that we have been conducting in the emergency response phase," Fauzan disclosed, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their assessment.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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