Home Affairs Minister and Social Minister Distribute IDR 100 Billion in Assistance in Sumatra
The government has distributed social assistance worth IDR 100.9 billion to disaster-affected communities across Sumatra. The aid is intended for disaster victims in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces.
The assistance was delivered by the Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, who also serves as Chair of the Task Force for Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Following the Sumatra Disaster, together with Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf. The ceremony took place in hybrid format from the East Aceh Regent’s Office on Monday (16 March).
The assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs represents part of the government’s efforts to help communities affected by the disaster recover. Distribution was conducted through PT Pos Indonesia.
The assistance package includes Economic Stimulus Assistance (BSSE) for 7,643 households worth IDR 38,215,000,000. Additionally, the government provided livelihood guarantees (jadup) for 28,831 people totalling IDR 38,921,850,000 to help meet the basic needs of affected communities for three months.
The government also provided household furnishings and equipment for 7,643 households with a total value of IDR 22,929,000,000.
The government additionally provided compensation to heirs for 60 people with a value of IDR 900,000,000, as well as compensation for severely injured victims for two people totalling IDR 10,000,000.
In addition to the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs also delivered 2,000 household equipment packages to the community of East Aceh Regency.
Tito hopes that in addition to assisting in post-disaster response, the assistance can help restore the economy of affected communities.
Particularly, post-disaster economic growth in Aceh province has not fully recovered. Therefore, various recovery efforts are needed, including through distribution of social assistance.
He stated that the government has provided various assistance to accelerate recovery, such as aid for people whose homes suffered damage, whether light, moderate, or severe. The government has also increased Regional Transfer (TKD) funding to all regions in the three affected provinces with a total of IDR 10.6 trillion.
Tito affirmed that the government will continue to pursue various recovery efforts in the affected regions. “As we undertake improvements and other efforts in all sectors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf hopes that beneficiaries will use the assistance in accordance with its intended purpose. The assistance is provided based on data reported by local governments.
“Of course the data is dynamic and will continue to grow. The Ministry of Social Affairs will gradually distribute data that has been verified. In accordance with the Instruction of the Home Affairs Minister, the faster the better,” he explained.
Also present at the event were Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah, East Aceh Regent Iskandar Usman Al-Farlaky, members of the Coordination Forum of Regional Leaders (Forkopimda) of East Aceh Regency, and other relevant officials. Representatives from North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces also participated online.