Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari stated in Jakarta on Friday that the agency is resorting to air transport to reach areas that remain inaccessible by land vehicles.
According to him, the airlifted aid items included 1,278 kilograms of rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, milk, and other essential goods for survivors taking shelter in Hajoran Parmonangan and Labu Tua villages in South Tapanuli District.
Muhari added that land routes delivered a larger aid volume of 5,710 kilograms, comprising instant noodles, biscuits, and rice, to disaster-hit areas in Humbang Hasundutan and Central Tapanuli districts. In addition to food, he continued, land transport vehicles have delivered medical and hygiene items, including vitamin supplements, masks, baby diapers, and clothing to help refugees maintain their health during the emergency.
He also emphasized that the BNPB remains committed to supporting critical infrastructure, including by transporting power generators and drums of fuel to the Military Regional Command I/Bukit Barisan, enabling soldiers to contribute optimally to disaster response efforts.
Muhari then affirmed that the agency will continue expanding the aid distribution outreach to ensure equitable, timely access to essential goods and services for all affected residents.
Reports indicate that North Sumatra has borne the heaviest impact of the floods and landslides that also struck Aceh and West Sumatra in late November, prompting large-scale disaster response across Sumatra Island.
BNPB data shows that the crisis had claimed 343 lives, left 98 people missing, and displaced 53,523 others in the province as of Thursday afternoon (December 11).
Related news: Over 817,000 remain displaced in Aceh after devastating floods: BNPB
Related news: Indonesian govt's accelerates recovery efforts after Sumatra disasters
Translator: M. Riezko, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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