Overcoming Isolated Areas Due to Floods, Social Minister Establishes 4 Social granaries in Trenggalek

Without hesitation, the Minister of Social Affairs went straight to the Kali Tengah River to collect wooden materials to reduce obstacles of the water flow

TRENGGALEK (6 November 2022) - The flash flood disaster that hit parts of Trenggalek Regency, East Java, becomes the concern of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini. Arriving at the flood location in Tawing Village, Munjungan District, the Social Minister immediately checked the disaster points.

Using motorbike, the Minister of Social Affairs headed to the river end of Kali Tengah. Without any awkwardness, the Minister went straight to the river to help the officers. From inside the river, the Minister took part in pulling large wooden materials that were carried away by the flood.

Present with Trenggalek Regent Mochamad Nur Arifin, the Minister of Social Affairs checked the readiness of the MoSA’s assistance to deal for the impacted area. The Minister of Social Affairs seemed to check the activities at the public kitchen in Tawing Village, as well as several residents' houses that were affected by the floods.

From the observations and listening to the explanations from the Regent Nur Arifin and his staff, the Minister of Social Affairs got an overview of several locations that are at risk of being isolated due to disasters. For this reason, the Minister immediately directed to build social granaries at four points in Munjungan District.

“There are several isolated vulnerable locations. So, this extreme weather is still happening. The peak of the rainy season is still far away. We worried that the impact of the following floods will hinder road access to the Munjungan District," said the Minister of Social Affairs during her visit, Sunday (6/11).

Social Minister Risma explained to the media that MoSA assistance had disbursed IDR 628 million. However, this assistance will still be added for logistics and kitchen equipment. "We will supply their kitchen needs, and encourage them to be independent with the logistical assistance provided by the MoSA, so that they (these vulnerable areas) can be independent. Therefore, we built social granaries at 4 points at once," she said.

The locations of the two social granaries are in Tawing Village, one in Bendoroto Village and one in Bangun Village, Munjungan District. The social granary is a form of preventive measures so that citizens maintain their access to logistical resources.

From her observations, Minister of Social Affairs also saw that the water flow had eroded the road beside the river.  It can be risk that the road will be eroded and have an impact on residents' housing. She asked people to act quickly. To help residents, the Ministry of Social Affairs will send heavy equipment assistance. "The preparations must be fast so that the need for heavy equipment becomes a priority," she said.

To the community, Social Minister Risma hopes that the management of disaster risk cannot only rely on the government. She asked all parties to work together, involve the community. “I really believe that the strength of the community is because of prayer. With prayer, surely Allah will help make all of this easier," she said.

Regent Nur Arifin expressed his deepest gratitude for the attention and concern of Social Affairs’ Minister Risma. Not only Bufferstock, basic food packages and Psychosocial Support Services (LDP) will be provided, Ms. Risma will also help to find the heavy equipment and gabions that are urgently needed at this time.

"In fact, Ms. Risma went straight to the river to help pull large wooden materials that were carried away by the flood," said Arifin.

In a separate place, Director of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters (PSKBA) Iyan Kusmadiyana explained that the bufferstock assistance distributed by MoSA were 1,500 packages of fastfood, 504 packages of children's food, 300 sheets of mattresses, 300 sheets of blankets, 200 packages of adult clothing, family kit of 200 packages, and kidsware of 200 packages.

There are also 500 packages of basic food assistance containing 5 kg of premium rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, 10 packs of instant noodles, 3 cans of sardines, 165 grams of ground coffee, 1 pack of sweet soy sauce, and 1 bottle of tomato sauce per package.

The establishment of the public kitchen and the implementation of the LDP were supported by disaster volunteers, such as Disaster Voluntary Worker (Tagana), along with other social pillars, including Peace Pioneers (Pordam), District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) and Facilitators of the Family Hope Program (PKH), by preparing 200 packages of contact materials for children affected by the floods.

Until now, Tagana Trenggalek is still carrying out monitoring with related agencies and elements to anticipate if there is a follow-up flood.

As a result of the disaster, a number of bridges and road infrastructure were completely cut off. In fact, until now, residents in Bangun Village, Munjungan District are experiencing access difficulties due to a damaged bridge.

After visiting the locations affected by the floods, the Minister of Social Affairs went straight to the Pon Market to buy additional needs for affected residents in the form of kitchen equipment, as well as seeing the availability of additional assistance needs at the Trenggalek Regency market.

Public Relations Bureau 

Ministry of Social Affairs