Government's must be present during times of need to provide both logistical and psychological assistance, as well as to meet the specific needs of vulnerable groups, Women Empowerment and Children Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi said here on Monday.
"During disasters, women and children experience overlapping vulnerabilities. Therefore, on top of logistic aid, we ensure psychological assistance, trauma healing, and pay attention to reproductive health, including pregnant women and children," she elaborated.
Fauzi added that the ministry has worked with relevant stakeholders, including other ministries and institutions, to deliver various psychosocial support, emergency response education, and to strengthen the protection of women and children in refugee evacuation shelters.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to consistently ensuring that women’s and children’s rights are upheld during emergency situations.
She expressed hope that the collaboration would strengthen an inclusive humanitarian response with a gender- and child-sensitive perspective, supporting a sustainable and comprehensive recovery process.
On the same occasion, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's director general for marine and fisheries resources monitoring Pung Nugroho Sasono stated that his administration have deployed ships to support aid distribution to the affected areas.
To date, the ministry has distributed approximately 159 tonnes of logistical assistance, including food supplies, clothing, and other basic necessities.
"Today we load 50 tonnes of aid to be sent to affected areas. Ministry's ship is ready to support distribution, so aid can reach inaccessible areas," Sasono remarked.
Although some monitoring vessels are being used for humanitarian operations, he assured that this has not disrupted the ministry’s routine marine surveillance activities.
The aid distribution is being carried out in phases, combining sea transport with ground-based delivery.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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