Government Accelerates Data Collection and Aid Distribution in Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, emphasised that the government is continuously speeding up recovery efforts from the impacts of hydrometeorological disasters in the Sumatra region through phased financial aid distribution to affected communities. Tito explained that the fund disbursement process is being carried out as quickly as possible for residents whose data is already available, without waiting for the entire data collection process to be completed in all areas. “There is no need to wait until the data is fully complete, but submit what is available, and we will pay. In other words, using a phased, wave-like mechanism because the number is quite large and widespread,” said Tito in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday. Tito explained that the government has set the amount of aid for housing repairs, namely Rp15 million for houses with minor damage, Rp30 million for moderate damage, and Rp60 million for severe damage. In addition, household appliance aid of Rp3 million is provided, economic support worth Rp5 million, and life guarantee assistance in the form of food allowance money of Rp15,000 per person per day, distributed for a full three months. To date, the central government continues to encourage regions that have not yet submitted aid requests to immediately provide data on affected residents. According to him, accelerating the submission of data is very important so that the administrative process and aid disbursement can be quickly realised. He also reminded local governments not to wait for data collection to be fully completed, but to immediately submit the available data so that aid can be distributed in phases as soon as possible. “There are two regions that have not yet submitted requests to date, and we are continuously urging them,” he said.