Gibran arrived at Soewondo Air Force Base in Medan, North Sumatra, at around 8 a.m. local time and was welcomed by North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, officials said.
He then flew by helicopter to Gayo Lues district in Aceh, where he was scheduled to meet evacuees at an evacuation post in Gumpang Lempuh village and inspect the collapsed Aih Boboh bridge.
The vice president was also set to visit Pidie Jaya district to meet evacuees sheltering at the At Taqwa Mosque in Meunasah Balek village and review damage to a broken bridge in Meureudu sub-district.
Gibran was accompanied during the visit by Deputy State-Owned Enterprises Minister Aminuddin Ma’ruf, according to officials.
Floods have affected multiple areas in Aceh, including Aceh Tamiang, Langsa, East Aceh, North Aceh, Lhokseumawe, Bireuen, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, Aceh Singkil and South Aceh.
Officials said the visit was aimed at ensuring aid distribution proceeds swiftly and reaches disaster victims as directed by President Prabowo Subianto.
Gibran told residents he would continue monitoring conditions on the ground until post-disaster recovery is completed, officials added.
Separately, the Indonesian Air Force has deployed C-130 Super Hercules aircraft to support bridge reconstruction in disaster-affected areas.
Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore I Nyoman Suadnyana said five steel sling units weighing about six tonnes were flown from Soewondo Air Base to Rembele Airport on Monday to support bridge rebuilding in Bener Meriah district.
The aircraft also transported 50 portable generators to supply electricity to affected communities, along with food assistance for disaster victims, he said.
Floods and landslides that struck parts of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra in late November killed more than 1,000 people and damaged homes and public facilities.
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Translator: Mentari DG, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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