Ministry of Social Affairs Distributes 19,000 Basic Food Packages to Sumatera During Ramadan
Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) distributed basic food packages to communities affected by disasters across several regions in Sumatera. Masriani Mansyur, Director of Protection for Natural Disaster Victims, stated that Ramadan does not impede Kemensos’s service delivery to communities. “Ramadan does not halt Kemensos services. Rather, in this blessed month we wish to ensure that those in need continue to receive assistance,” Masriani said in a written statement on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
During this year’s Ramadan, Kemensos distributed basic food packages across several provinces in Sumatera. In Aceh province, Kemensos distributed 12,500 basic food packages with a total assistance value of 4.702 billion rupiahs. In West Sumatera, assistance comprised 2,000 basic food packages worth 500 million rupiahs in total. Meanwhile, in North Sumatera, Kemensos distributed 4,500 basic food packages with a total assistance value of 1.125 billion rupiahs.
Overall, during Ramadan Kemensos distributed approximately 19,000 basic food packages across Sumatera with a total assistance value reaching 6 billion rupiahs. Masriani expressed hope that the assistance would help alleviate community needs during the fasting period. Beyond basic food packages, Kemensos also continued monitoring post-disaster response efforts, including provision of temporary shelter (huntara) for affected residents.
In the field, the distribution of assistance also involved volunteers from Taruna Siaga Bencana (Tagana) working alongside local communities. In Pandan Subdistrict, Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatera, volunteers were observed preparing food assistance in an open hall. They sat on tarps while packaging food and basic necessities to be distributed to residents, particularly approaching the time of breaking the fast.
Assistance was also channelled to residents still in temporary shelters. Several families were resting in rooms designated as temporary accommodation centres. Mats, blankets, and daily necessities were arranged within the rooms, whilst children and elderly residents carried out activities in the area. Tagana volunteers worked alongside community members to support distribution of packaged food packages containing essential items. The packages were intended to help meet the needs of affected communities during the fasting period.
This assistance distribution activity also served as a moment of fellowship between affected residents, Tagana volunteers, and the government during the sacred month of Ramadan.