Amran: Food Agency Distributes Rp 100 Billion in Aid for NTT Earthquake Victims

Agriculture Minister and head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Andi Amran Sulaiman has stated that the government moved quickly to distribute aid to communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Amran plans to fly to the disaster-affected location in NTT today or tomorrow.

“We are about to depart today or tomorrow, but our aid has already been sent, amounting to approximately Rp 100 billion as of today,” Amran said during a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Amran said the government is not solely relying on reports from the field. He wants to go directly to inspect the condition of the community and ensure that aid and post-disaster handling are proceeding properly.

“The aid so far is rice, and possibly cooking oil later, but we are going directly to the field,” Amran said.

According to Amran, the aid funds come from the State Budget (APBN) allocated for disaster management. He emphasised that the aid sent does not come from donations.

“It is from the APBN, from the disaster budget at Bapanas,” he continued.

Amran said the government immediately decided to distribute food aid, even though the disaster occurred on Saturday, which was a public holiday. He asked Bulog to promptly provide and distribute rice to communities affected by the disaster.

“The disaster happened on Saturday, a holiday. On Saturday we immediately made the decision that those needing rice from Bulog would receive it. I called the Bulog president director and said those who need rice should be given it, with the paperwork to follow,” Amran explained.

Amran stressed that humanitarian considerations must be the top priority in disaster management. Therefore, he believes administrative processes must not hinder the distribution of food to affected communities.

“I only signed the documents at night because this is a humanitarian matter that cannot be delayed. Eating cannot be delayed. So the administration follows, but we have signed everything,” Amran added.

In addition to ensuring aid reaches victims promptly, Amran also guaranteed the strengthening of rice stocks in NTT to meet the needs of communities affected by the disaster.

“If calculated, our stock is five times the requirement. Our stock is 5.2 million tonnes, God willing it is safe,” Amran said.