Public Works Ministry Distributes Clean Water to West Lombok Residents Affected by Drought
The Ministry of Public Works (PU), through the Emergency Response Team of the Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) Building, Infrastructure and Area Development Office (BPBPK), has distributed clean water assistance to affected communities as a rapid response to the declaration of a Drought Emergency Alert Status in West Lombok Regency.
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo said that the provision of clean water services is one of the ministry’s priorities, particularly for communities affected by drought disasters.
According to the minister, water is a crucial foundation for economic, social, and environmental development, especially amid rising climate change challenges.
“In a world that is constantly changing and full of uncertainty, water is a vital foundation for sustainable development,” Dody said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The move follows drought conditions in Gerebegan Hamlet, Jembatan Gantung Village, Lembar Subdistrict, and Madak Belek 2 Hamlet, Cendi Menik Village, Sekotong Subdistrict, in West Lombok Regency. The clean water was distributed using tanker trucks, with a total of 12,000 litres delivered and stored in a tank with a capacity of 5,300 litres.
The assistance meets the clean water needs of 220 families (KK) who have struggled to obtain water due to the dry season.
Meanwhile, Head of BPBPK NTB Dades Prinandes said that rapid response is a key factor in reducing the impact of drought on communities.
According to him, the distribution of clean water is a form of state presence in ensuring that people retain access to basic needs during the dry season.
“Disaster management focuses not only on responding when emergency conditions occur, but also on ensuring that communities’ basic needs continue to be met,” Dades said.
He explained that the provision of clean water is a manifestation of the state’s presence in delivering services to drought-affected communities.
“We will continue to coordinate with regional governments and all stakeholders so that the response can be carried out quickly, on target, and sustainably,” he said.
Dades added that synergy between the central government, regional governments, and all stakeholders is key to facing the potential drought, which is expected to persist throughout the dry season.
“Together with regional governments, we will continue to monitor areas experiencing difficulty accessing clean water. If necessary, the distribution of assistance will be adjusted according to developments on the ground so that communities continue to receive optimal services,” he said.