Bulog will continue to distribute rice for as long as the refugees need assistance with staple foods."Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - North Sumatra State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has distributed three tons of rice to aid refugees from the Mount Sinabung eruption in Karo District on Sunday.
"Bulog has provided assistance after Sinabung erupted on Monday morning by distributing a total of 3 tons of rice," said Public Relations Officer of North Sumatra Bulog Rudi here on Monday.
He noted that Bulog had taken the rice from the government`s rice supply to assist the refugees.
Bulog distributed the rice in cooperation with the Karo District Administration, which identified the areas in need of assistance and examined the refugee`s needs.
"Bulog will continue to distribute rice for as long as the refugees need assistance with staple foods," Rudi said.
Even though Sumatra`s stores of rice have dwindled from being used to assist refugees of the natural disaster in Karo, Rudi confirmed that Bulog has at least 35 thousand tons of rice still available for emergencies.
"E Java and Jakarta will immediately replenish our stores by supplying 15 thousand tons of rice," he stated.
Meanwhile, Karo Regent Kema Ukur Karo Surbakti pointed out that the number of refugees is continuing to mount, rising from 3,710 persons to 4,739 persons hosted at eight shelter locations in the Kabanjahe area.
(Uu.B019/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
