Ministry of Social Affairs Ensures the Needs of Semarang Flood Victims are Served

SEMARANG (7 February 2021) - Floods that inundated Semarang City resulted in many residents being unable to carry out their daily activities. Almost the entire city of Semarang was flooded with varying heights. Areas that are regularly flooded every year are the worst affected.

The Tanah Mas area in Panggung Lor sub-district, North Semarang sub-district, was still flooded on Saturday night with a height of 50-70 cm. It is feared that the water will get higher, so residents will be evacuated to a safer place.

In this area, the Social Rehabilitation Center “Kartini” Team provided services to a family consisting of Mrs. Winarti (72) with her two daughters Erika (with intellectual disabilities) and Susan. The three of them were evacuated from their houses, but there is no evacuation post for them. The head of the Temanggung Kartini Center, Juena Sitepu, is seeking access to their place of refuge, through coordination with the Head of the Social Service for Central Java Province. Finally, it was decided that they would temporarily be placed at the PMKS Margo Widodo Social Service Home in Semarang.

In addition, the “Kartini” Team descended on affected locations in Semarang City to carry out assessments and provide the assistance needed for flood victims. In Muktiharjo Kidul sub-district, Pedurungan sub-district, together with Tagana, prepared a public kitchen and food to help around 1,000 residents who had been hit by floods since Saturday morning.

This Public Kitchen Post was one of the locations visited by the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharani. Through this visit, she ensures that all flood victims have their food and health needs met. "If the water has not receded, we will add more for food aid. And we will also add energy from Tagana," said Risma.

During this visit, the Minister of Social Affairs also handed over assistance in the form of ready-to-eat food, kids ware, food ware, kitchen utensils, folding mattresses, mattresses, clothes, vitamins, masks, etc.

Mrs. Naryo, a resident of RW 5 Kel Muktiharjo Kidul on behalf of the residents expressed her gratitude for this assistance. Because since Friday there has been no assistance, the residents try to eat it themselves. "With the opening of the public kitchen and the assistance of the Minister of Social Affairs, it is very helpful and eases our burden," said Mrs. Naryo.