Indonesia distributes $50 million disaster aid to flood victims

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has begun distributing several types of adaptive disaster social assistance funds totaling Rp878.6 billion (US$50,4 million) to victims of flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf on Thursday stated that the aid distribution is currently underway, involving PT Pos Indonesia officers across the three provinces.

"As of Thursday afternoon, the first phase has reached approximately 17,000 beneficiaries of the total adaptive assistance target," he informed.

He explained that the aid consists of Housing Furnishing Assistance (BIH) worth Rp3 million (US$172) and Socioeconomic Stimulus Assistance (BSSE) worth Rp5 million (US$287) for each affected family to aid post-disaster recovery.

Based on data verified by the central and regional governments, 67,886 beneficiary families (KPM) are eligible to receive BIH and BSSE assistance, with a total budget of Rp543.08 billion (US$31 million).

Furthermore, the government is also disbursing livelihood assistance to 248,588 affected individuals, amounting to Rp450,000 (US$26) per person per month, for three months, with a total budget of Rp335.5 billion (US$19,2 million).

"Some of them are regular social assistance recipients, but there are also new recipients; detailed data collection is currently underway," Yusuf said.

The minister explained that the distribution of adaptive assistance is being carried out in stages based on data verified by local governments, acknowledged by the Head of the District Attorney's Office, and the Chief of the Regional Police, and authorized by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

A similar measure was also taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs in the previous distribution of disaster-adaptive assistance in the three provinces, including compensation funds for deceased and injured victims totaling Rp17 billion (US$976 thousand), as well as logistical support during the disaster emergency response period worth Rp117 billion (US$6,7 million).

“A double verification of beneficiary data is conducted to ensure the aid is delivered swiftly and accurately, while maintaining prudence and accountability,” he added.

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