Anticipation of the Disaster Continues, MoSA Ensures Enough Logistics Stock

JAKARTA (January 7, 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs is preparing a number of anticipatory steps in line with the possibility of ongoing disasters. This includes establishing a disaster relief post at Gedung Cawang Kencana, East Jakarta.

Citing Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecasts, Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara said, the establishment of one of the main posts was based on the consideration that high rainfall would continue until next month. In addition, the area affected by the disaster is also extensive, not only in Jakarta. All of this requires adequate logistical assistance readiness.

"There, we prepare several trucks, so that at any time logistical assistance is needed, it can be distributed immediately. Elements of the community, private sector, and NGOs who want to send aid but do not know the points of the aid post, can later be informed openly. A truck was also prepared that could send logistics to the relief point, "said Juliari at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday (01/07/2020).

The establishment of a logistical aid post is one of the steps the Ministry of Social Affairs has anticipated in the impact of floods and landslides which may still be a threat in the next few days. In addition, it is also part of the Ministry of Social preparedness in handling a number of affected areas, which still need help.

The need for assistance was monitored when Juliari accompanied President Joko Widodo in Bogor and Lebak, Banten, this morning. In Bogor Regency, the President and his entourage observed a landslide affected area in Kecamatan Sukajaya. 

After that, the President flew to the location of flash floods in Desa Banjaririgasi, Kecamatan Lebak Gedong, Kabupaten Lebak, Banten Province. In Lebak, based on information obtained, the people affected by flash floods had received assistance.

"But there are requests for assistance of 2,000 school uniforms. The children have started school but do not have it, so we’ll send it." said the Minister.

Then for the dead victims, the Ministry of Social Affairs also prepared compensation for heirs, amounting to Rp.15,000,000 per person. "Latest data, 67 people died. We have distributed some of the compensation. We are also preparing for 26 other deaths, possibly tomorrow they will be distributed, "said the Minister.

Juliari also instructed Director General of Social Security Protection Harry Hikmat to ensure logistical readiness, including when there were needs that needed to be purchased.

"I checked the warehouse last week. There are several needs that need to be held in 2020. Not a lot. I think it will be executed immediately. The principle is that we are ready to supply logistics needs, "said the Minister.

However, the Minister of Social Affairs ensured that, in general, the availability of logistical assistance in the Ministry of Social warehouse, was still sufficient. "I myself looked at our logistics warehouse in Bekasi, last week it was still safe," said the Minister.

Logistics assistance, such as ready-to-eat food, are safely in the hundreds of thousands. Reserves of regular rice are still 350 tons, blankets are still tens of thousands, instant noodles are almost 2,000,000 packets. "Then others, such as tents, are still sufficient," said the Minister.

At present, the Ministry of Social Affairs also continues to distribute to aid posts, and public kitchens to meet the needs of refugees. "This includes our plan to establish a holding post in Cawang Kencana," said the Minister. Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) also continues to work together with other elements to meet the needs of residents affected by disasters.

In addition, Juliari also instructed the Directorate General of Social Protection for Social Disaster Victims to re-examine whether all disaster-prone areas have entered the Disaster Preparedness Zone (KSB).

"If not, it is better to form the KSB. Because this KSB is a community-based prevention. They are well-trained HR, "he said.

To the media, the Minister of Social Affairs requested to inform which areas were still not reached by aid. "So far the only area that has received assistance is that. Maybe reporters with the available information can help (indicating which areas are still not covered by aid), "said the Minister.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs