With a Rubber Boat, the Social Affairs Minister Sweeps Pati Flood to Isolated Areas

PATI (January 7, 2023) - A week has passed since Pati Regency, Central Java, was flooded at the end of 2022. On Friday (6/1), Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini came to many locations, which were reported to be poorly affected, and the isolated areas using a rubber boat.

The three locations are Poncomulyo Hamlet, Gadudero Village in Sukolilo District and Tondomulyo Village, and Karangrowo Village in Jakenan District, Pati Regency.

"Yesterday, I received news that Pati area was an isolated area that had not received assistance, so I came to this place," said Minister Risma in Pati, on Friday (6/1).

According to the Minister, all residents affected by disasters have the right to receive the same treatment even though they reside in isolated areas.

"I always say (to the ranks), we must be there (able to reach) the furthest points (which are unreachable) so that all residents can get their rights," said Risma.

Upon her arrival at the first location in Dukuh Poncomulyo, Gadudero Village in Sukolilo District, Risma went through puddles of water as high as an adult's thighs. Without thinking, she immediately put on a pair of boots and a life jacket before boarding the rubber boat that had been prepared.

The Minister also circled residential areas and 600 hectares of rice fields which suddenly turned into a wide expanse of river, while occasionally greeting residents who were still staying in their homes from the boat.

The water depth in this area is estimated to reach more than two meters. It took almost 30 minutes for the rubber boat to arrive at the flood command post in Dukuh Poncomulyo, Gadudero Village.

In addition, Risma did the same thing in Karangrowo Village, Jakenan District, where the soaking area reached 150 hectares. At this location, around 276 houses with 308 families/894 people were affected.

The Minister also visited four houses of isolated residents in this area by boat, handing over aid directly to them from the boat towards evening.

Distributing toys and food packages to children in the three visited locations seems to be an integral part of the Social Affairs Minister Risma. The children were crowding in, wanting direct gifts from Social Affairs Minister Risma.

Pati, said Risma, was not the first location to be assisted by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Since the North Coast (Pantura) area of ​​Java was hit by floods from the end of 2022 to early 2023, flood management has been carried out in several regencies/cities in Central Java.

"We have done (flood management) in almost all regencies/cities in Central Java, such as Semarang City, Batang Regency, Pekalongan Regency, Kudus Regency, and today, Pati. We have helped," she said.

In handling the flood disaster in Pati Regency itself, the Ministry of Social Affairs has sent logistical assistance consisting of 2,000 packages of ready-to-eat food, 468 packages of ready-to-eat spices, 1,500 packages of children's food, 300 blankets, 300 mattresses, 300 packages of baby clothing, 300 packages of adult clothing, 1,080 packages of sanitary napkins, 2 portable generators, and 3 evacuation boats.

To ensure the food needs of people affected by the flood, the former number one person in Surabaya also checked public kitchens in two locations, namely at "Margo Laras" Center in Pati and the Social Service, Women's Empowerment, Child Protection and Family Planning (Dinsos P3AKB) Pati Regency.

Chairman of the Tagana Coordination Forum (FK) in Pati Regency, Muhtadi, stated that by deploying 23 Tagana Pati personnel, the public kitchens from the two locations were able to produce 2,900 packages of rice every day to be distributed to several flood points.

"The public kitchens at 2 points, namely at the Center and the Social Office, have been running for four days. The one at the Center produces approximately 400 packs and the one at the Social Office has approximately 2,500 packs per day, each of them for three meals," Muhtadi said during the visit of the Minister of Social Affairs.

Compensation for 3 Flood Victims in Semarang
Apart from inspecting the location of the flood disaster and checking the public kitchen, the Minister of Social Affairs also handed over compensation to the heirs of three victims who died as a result of the flood disaster in Semarang City some time ago.

Compensation worth IDR15 million/casualty was given to Iin Sofiati, the heir of the deceased. Dinda Shefira Angelita from Tegal, Puji Sugiharto is the heir of Muh. Kavinabeel is from Jepara, and Parniati is the heir of the late Sunaryo from Ngawi. At the time of the incident, the three of them were in Semarang City.

Iin Sofiati (48), the mother and heir of the late Dinda Shefira Angelita (19), was devastated by the loss of her child who was studying at Sultan Agung University (Unissula) Semarang.

Her daughter died due to electrocution while crossing a flooded area near her boarding house along with her friend, who also died in the same place, the late Muh. Kavinabeel.

For the Social Affairs Minister's attention to her, Iin expressed her gratitude. "I didn't expect this (compensation), but because this is a form of attention from the Ministry of Social Affairs, especially when it was delivered directly by the Minister, I am very grateful," said Iin after receiving the compensation at "Margo Laras" Center in Pati.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs