4 Steps of Minister of Social Affairs Tackles the Drought

JAKARTA (July 26, 2019) – The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita revealed that there are four steps taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs to anticipate and deal with the threat of drought in various regions in Indonesia.

"The four steps are the preparation for disaster logistics in the form of food assistance, Social Protection Officers, facilities and infrastructure in social services, and refugee camps if needed," the Minister said in Jakarta on Friday.

First, preparing disaster logistics in the form of food aid. Minister of Social Affairs explained that the logistics prepared in the form of regular rice is distributed throughout the provincial social offices and district/city social services which are always maintained by a stable balance in stages.

"Government Rice Reserve (CBP) can be issued after the issuance of the Emergency Response Decree by each regional head. For the CBP province can be issued up to 200 tons and for regents / mayors as many as 100 tons," he explained.

This regulation, the Minister of Social Affairs continued, is in line with Permensos number 20 of 2012 about Procedures and Mechanisms of the Distribution of Government Rice Reserves for Handling Emergency Response.

He added that in addition to CBP, the Ministry of Social Affairs also prepared side dishes, fast food packages, children's meals, and instant noodles.

"For the logistics buffer stock in the form of side dishes, fast food, children's food and instant noodles, there are three regional warehouses owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs, 34 Provincial Social Service warehouses and 514 district / city warehouses and in 581 Kampung Siaga Disaster (KSB) social warehouses in 34 provinces," said Minister Agus.

Second, for the preparation of the Social Protection Officer, the Minister explained that currently 37,817 personnel of the Youth Disaster Preparedness (TAGANA) were alerted and spread across provinces and cities/districts. There are also the Family Hope Program Companion (PKH), the District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) in 34 provinces in each sub-district, the Social Workers Service Unit (Sakti Peksos), Community Social Workers (PSM) in each village or kelurahan, and Karang Taruna personnel.

"They must be ready at all times to help the community, coordinating with the local social service agencies in order to protect the victims of natural disasters," said the Minister.

Every Social Protection Officer, he continued, has logistical management capabilities, psychosocial support services, social advocacy and refugee management.

"If there is a drought in one area, they will coordinate with the local social service agencies to assist in various things, such as the distribution of clean water, food distribution, or even establishing and managing public kitchens if needed," Agus said.

Third, the preparation of facilities and infrastructure in the provincial, city / regency social service consists of Rescue Tactical Unit (RTU), Water Tank Car, Truck, Car and Motorbike Public Kitchen Field and Motor Trail.

"We use these facilities and infrastructure to mobilize disaster management officers, transport and distribute clean water, evacuate disaster victims to safe places, food processing facilities (public kitchens), and facilitate mobilization when identifying locations of disasters quickly," the Minister explained.

Finally, he continued, is the preparation of shelter. It includes evacuation assistance and family needs such as tents, mattresses, blankets, camp bed, mattresses, family equipment, children's equipment, and dining equipment.

"The shelter also can use the Great Hall owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Institutions managed by the regional government if certain conditions occur," he added.

As has been known, currently, a number of areas facing prolonged drought, such as West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Bali, NTB, and NTT.

President Joko Widodo had previously held a Private Meeting to discuss about the drought and emphasized the ministers, heads of institutions, and governors to take a direct look at the field and immediately take steps to anticipate and mitigate the effects of this drought.

Head of Public Relations Bureau Ministry of Social Affairs RI

Sonny W Manalu