SOUTHEAST ACEH (1 December 2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini arrived at the flood location in Southeast Aceh Regency, on Wednesday (30/11), after traveling overland for 6 hours from Medan City.

Minister of Social Affairs' first destination was Simpang Semadam. Here, the Minister visited the public kitchen, handed over compensation to the heirs of the deceased, and visited Kampung Baru River.

The Minister said that river dredging needed to be done to create a reservoir at the bottom of the river. The rocks at the bottom of the river are moved so that the soil can hold and absorb the water. As someone who studied Urban Development at Erasmus University Rotterdam in Netherlands, Minister of Social Affairs understands water management.

The Minister also invited the people present to do community service in rivers and at points where the water flows fast.

As for the second location, in Rikit Bur Village, Bukit Tusam District, the Minister handed over another compensation to the heirs of the deceased and injured victims. "There was compensation (for the heirs of victims) who died 2, then there were others who were injured," said the Minister.

Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) provided compensation to the heirs of 2 deceased victims. The value of the compensation provided is IDR 15 million per person. Meanwhile, for injured victims, IDR 5 million per person was given to 8 victims.

Previously, MoSA had sent aid on November 16. The aid sent was in the form of 1,300 packages of ready-to-eat food, 1,000 packages of children's food, 300 packages of ready-to-eat side dishes, 100 roll-up tents, and 50 portable family tents.

MoSA then increased the amount of assistance with details of 25 mattresses, 50 blankets, 31 packages of family kits, 20 packages of kids' ware, 40 boxes of children's food, 48 boxes of ready-to-eat food, 15 packages of family kitchen equipment, 250 packages of bags, clothes, and school supplies, 100 packages of necessities and clothing, 300 packages of children's food, and 100 packages of children's toys.

"The usual assistance for survivors is food. We have been here for three weeks providing food assistance, then tents, sleeping equipment, kitchens, and so on," said the Minister.

Meanwhile, floods hit 15 sub-districts in Southeast Aceh on Monday (13/11). The flood was caused by heavy rain which caused several rivers to overflow into residential areas.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs