“All assistance is distributed only after going through an assessment process together with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and local governments,” Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said during a coordination meeting of the Disaster Post-Recovery Task Force.
The minister said the assessments involve comprehensive data collection and verification, covering the condition of victims, confirmation of heirs, and the specific needs of affected households, to ensure aid reaches those most in need and avoids duplication or mistargeting.
During the emergency response phase, Yusuf said the ministry supported disaster handling efforts by supplying logistics and operating public kitchens at evacuation sites, working with disaster response volunteers from the Tagana disaster alert team, the military, police and local administrations.
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As operations shift into the post-disaster stage, the ministry has prepared various forms of assistance for families relocating to temporary or permanent housing, including cash support of Rp3 million ($178) per family to help furnish government-provided shelters for flood and landslide victims in Aceh and other parts of Sumatra.
“We will provide Rp3 million to purchase household contents, whether kitchen utensils or other basic necessities, after coordination with the Cabinet Secretary and the Finance Minister,” Yusuf told the meeting, adding that the funds are intended to help families restart daily life.
The ministry is also providing additional cash assistance for food supplements amounting to Rp450,000 per person per month for three months while families remain in temporary or permanent housing, to ease the burden during the early recovery period.
In addition, the ministry has begun distributing compensation of Rp15 million for each deceased victim and Rp5 million for those seriously injured, with assistance already disbursed to 86 heirs worth more than Rp1.2 billion across several regions, including Pidie, Pidie Jaya and Sibolga City.
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Translator: Tri, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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