The Victims of Disaster Become the State's Top Priority

BOGOR (January 4th 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) are committed to giving top priority to victims affected by floods and landslides.

"In accordance with President Joko Widodo's mandate, the first thing that must be prioritized is the victims. So, we must ensure that their health aspects and their daily needs are met," said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy while inspecting the locations affected by landslides in Pasir Madang Village, Sukajaya District, Bogor Regency, Saturday (4/1) afternoon.

According to him, in addition to the local government (pemda), the central government will also make full efforts to deploy teams from several related ministries under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.

"Our visit is to review the level of damage in Sukajaya District. (The damage) is quite heavy, hopefully we can solve it together soon," said the Minister of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara, represented by the Director General of Social Protection and Security, Harry Hikmat is committed to meeting the logistical needs of disaster victims.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed various needs ranging from children and adults, to the elderly. This (distribution) is based on a national cluster division in which the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for providing logistical needs," said Harry.

In line with the Coordinating Minister for PMK, the Head of BNPB, Doni Monardo, said that matters relating to people's safety are the highest law, so that safety issues ranging from prevention, mitigation and preparedness, must be really considered.

"No one should be at home at this time, until the next few days, to avoid further landslides and casualties," appealed the Head of BNPB.

Following up this landslide incident, in the future, he continued, relocation must be carried out. No more residents are allowed to build houses on land with a slope of more than 30 degrees.

The local government must start thinking about resolving the impacts of landslides in the long term. "Changes in the mindset of the local population by replanting (reforestation) of hard plants that can absorb water can be delivered from now on and carried out later after the disaster is over," said the Head of BNPB.

Ministry of Social Affairs Mobilizes Tagana

As of today, the total victims due to landslides in Sukajaya District are seven, three of whom are still in search.

Apart from Pasir Madang Village, two other villages, namely Cisarua Village and Cileuksa Village, in this sub-district are also still isolated, so that all the refugees in Sukajaya District are recorded at 3,221 people.

In response to this incident, the Ministry of Social Affairs has deployed 30 Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) personnel to help evacuate residents and distribute aid to isolated villages.

Meanwhile, the assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs provided for victims of floods and landslides in Bogor Regency is totally worth 632 million rupiah consisting of 800 packages of fast food A, B, C, D, 320 packages of children's food, 28 thousand packs of instant noodles, 180 packages of side dishes, 170 packages of kitchen utensils, 190 packages of food and clothing, 190 sheets of blankets, 110 sheets of roll tents, 220 packages of family kits, 220 packages of kids ware, 20 packages of foodware, 90 mattresses, and 25 velbeds.

A number of aid was symbolically handed over to the Deputy Regent of Bogor, Iwan Setiawan, who was also present at the disaster site, to be passed on to residents who needed assistance. Meanwhile, refugees who have lost their family members will be given beneficiary compensation of 15 million rupiah.

"We are still in the process of verifying the data on the heirs of the deceased. If it is confirmed, then we will provide compensation so that it can be received by the heirs as soon as possible," said the Director General of Social Protection and Security, Harry Hikmat.

On the other hand, Tagana struggled to bring a number of aid through the landslide points in order to reach Pasir Madang Village. This is done to ensure that everything is received directly by the residents concerned. Various components who were present during the site visit and saw Tagana's action that afternoon, appreciated Tagana's presence in the midst of a disaster, even in the most difficult conditions.

"Cut off access to land routes and heavy terrain has not dampened Tagana's intention to help refugees get their rights. Thank you, Tagana!" said the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture and the Head of BNPB just before leaving the location.

Previously, the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara, has visited locations affected by flooding at several points in Jakarta, including Taman Harapan Cawang, Kampung Pulo and Cipinang Melayu, as well as the Pondok Gede Permai Housing Complex area in Bekasi. Then, on the following day, a review was also carried out in the area of the Ciledug Indah Housing Complex in Tangerang City. In his review of several locations, the Minister of Social Affairs also visited post points around the disaster site to ensure that all the needs of the refugees while staying at the IDPs were covered by aid supplies from the Ministry of Social Affairs.