5 Steps Taken by Ministry of Social Affairs Regarding Forest and Land Fires

JAKARTA (September 17, 2019) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared and taken five steps to handle and control the impact of forest and land fires (karhutla) that occurred in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

First, is to carry out internal consolidation with the Ministry of Social Affairs from the central to the regional level, also with the Social Service in areas affected by forest and land fires, as well as external consolidation with various relevant stakeholders that enable rapid cooperation both within the Government and with various potential communities. Consolidation is carried out to ensure technical steps taken in the field can run well and coordinated. Among others are the preparation of safe houses, distribution of logistics, and the deployment of Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana), District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) and various Potential Sources of Social Welfare in the region," said Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Monday, 16 September 2019 in Pekanbaru, before attending the Limited Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo.

Second, continued Agus Gumiwang, establishing several safe houses and posts in each affected district/city. Safe House is prepared with an ideal water purifier facility with room area (ie 1 unit for a room of 20 square meters), 2 units of oxygen gas cylinders, all rooms are tightly closed, provided velbed, and supported by Psychosocial Support Services and Health/Medical Team. ".. For the Safe House the Ministry of Social Affairs is cooperating with relevant Ministries/Institutions/Agencies/Government namely the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works And Public Housing, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Indonesian National Army, National Police of Indonesia, Regional Disaster Management Agency, Provincial and Regency/City Social Services," said the Minister.

The total Safe House for handling forest fire victims is 47 units in 16 provinces and can accommodate up to 5,000 per day. Safe House is in the provincial social service office, Ministry of Social Affairs UPT, Social Institution owned by Social Affairs, and 12 Regional Government Work Unit (SKPD).

Third, creating and distributing circulars to affected Social Services in order to optimize the potential of existing sources such as Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana), Peace Pioneer, Family Hope Program Assistant (PKH), District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK), Disaster Alert Village (KSB), Friends of Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) and other humanitarian volunteers.

"Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) has been deployed to help extinguish forest and land fires including in Indragiri Hulu Regency and Kampar Regency," he said.

Fourth, preparing disaster logistical supplies (bufferstock) to meet the basic needs of affected residents. Meeting basic needs for victims of social disasters consists of food, clothing, and psychosocial services.

"If disaster victims are displaced, the basic needs that must be prepared besides these three things are the provision of clean water, sanitation and public kitchens," explained the Minister.

Fifth, preparing operational equipment needed to combat forest and land fires.

Operational equipment includes air purifiers, oxygen gas cylinders, enclosed and velbed available rooms, water tank trucks, field public kitchens, multipurpose tents for posts, logistics needs, Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) equipment (boots, masks, helmets, uniforms and communication equipment), equipment medical (in collaboration with the nearest polyclinic/community health centers), and distributing masks to road users and school children.

The Minister said that the five efforts carried out were mandated by Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management and Presidential Instruction No. RI. 11 of 2015 concerning Improvement and Control of Forest and Land Fires to 26 Ministries / institutions including the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is ready to follow up on the President's orders, as well as the results of the decision of a limited Cabinet Meeting which was specifically held in Pekanbaru, Riau. In accordance with the tasks and functions of the Ministry of Social Affairs which is handling for victims affected by fire disasters, the entire Ministry of Social Affairs is ready to take quick steps in the field, continued Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.

Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs

Sonny W Manalu