Minister of Social Affairs Visits Disaster Victims in West Bandung Regency at Night

WEST BANDUNG (March 26th, 2024) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, towards midnight, visited and provided various assistance to flood and landslide victims in Cibenda Village, Cipongkor District, West Bandung Regency, Monday (25/3). Not only that, the Minister also greeted and had talks with the victims, and encouraged them to remain enthusiastic in facing the disaster.

Previously, floods and landslides due to heavy rain hit Cibenda Village, which is located about 60 kilometers from the center of Bandung City, on Sunday (24/3) evening at around 23.00. The disaster resulted in the destruction of a number of houses, bridges and agricultural land.

In less than 24 hours, the Minister immediately came to the location to see the condition of the victims and distribute various aid. It was recorded that 436 people from 115 families fled to GOR Betah and SDN Padakati, Cibenda Village. Meanwhile, a number of residents were still being searched.

Siti Nurjamila (30), a survivor who was currently living in a shelter, asked the Minister for help to deploy officers to look for her missing neighbor. She also expressed her sadness as her house was destroyed, and her possessions were lost in the landslides.

In response to this, the Minister provided reinforcement while holding Siti's hand tightly. "The important thing is that you are safe and healthy now. So, keep up the spirit! There will be a replacement for the house (destroyed), you just have to believe in it," said Social Minister Risma.

Another survivor, Arifin (40), stated that his brother and two family members were still missing. Arifin was still waiting while praying so that the team could find his family members who were lost in the flood and landslide.

On that occasion, the Minister stated that her party was thinking about the future livelihood of the survivors because they had lost agricultural land as a source of the residents' economy. To male survivors, she offered to become breeders. Meanwhile, for female survivors, she offered sewing training.

Besides this offer, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) had also distributed various assistance from four warehouses, namely West Java Provincial Social Service, Bandung Center for Social Welfare Education and Training (BBPPKS), "Wyata Guna" Center in Bandung and "Abiyoso" Center in Cimahi.

The assistance was in the form of mattresses, blankets, family kits, kidsware, adult clothing, children's clothing, and various other assistance. Besides, MoSA also set up tents and a public kitchen. "We provide 550 portions of ready-to-eat food per production," said Soleh -- the Head of the Public Kitchen Team from Tagana, West Bandung Regency.

This MoSA's high concern for the victims made Arifin feel very cared for. "Thank you to the Minister of Social Affairs, who was willing to come all the way to visit and provide various assistance to us. Thank you," said him.