Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Ensures Masamba Flood Victims Needs are Fulfilled

MASAMBA (July 17, 2020) - The government through the Ministry of Social Affairs ensures that all the needs of the people affected by the flash flood in Masamba, North Luwu Regency are fulfilled. For this reason, the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P Batubara, asked the regent to determine what urgent for the community needs.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need to doubt President Jokowi's commitment in realizing that the country is here to help residents in every disaster such as in North Luwu. The Regent does not need to hesitate if he needs additional assistance from us. We are ready to add more," said Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P Batubara when handed over compensation for the deceased at the North Luwu Regent's office, today.

The most basic needs of refugees today, said Ari, are food and clean water. For this reason, he ensured that the public kitchen operated by the Disaster Preparedness Cadets (TAGANA) personnel would not stop cooking food for the refugees.

"I ordered TAGANA to cook optimally. The public kitchen that I am reviewing is confirmed to continue to serve food supplies," he added.

The assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs has so far reached 2 billion rupiah. The amount consists of logistical assistance, cleaning equipment and compensation for victims of the dead. The Minister of Social Affairs said that this assistance will increase as there are still victims who have not been found.

"We make sure that all victims who die receive compensation. So far, 23 heirs have been given compensation. We can add this," added the former chairman of IMI for two terms.

The arrival of the Minister of Social Affairs to North Luwu Regency was accompanied by the Director General of Social Protection and Security Pepen Nazaruddin and the Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims Safii Nasution.

Based on data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency, the number of dead victims who have been found and identified is 32 people. While as many as 16 people are still in disbursement.

Psychosocial Support

Apart from providing material assistance, the Ministry of Social Affairs also deploys a psychosocial support service (LDP) team to recover traumatized refugees, especially children.

This service is one of the means for displaced children so that their souls are not shaken or experiencing stress. This psychosocial recovery has been carried out since the first day of the flood disaster.

This service is one of the means for displaced children so that their souls are not shaken or experience stress. This psychosocial recovery has been carried out since the first day of the flood disaster.

"So the psychosocial support is the initial contact. Now, the psychosocial assistance since the incident has arrived. Our presence has actually provided reinforcement," explained Social Minister Juliari.

This father of two children had time to have a dialogue and joke with the children in the refugee camp. The Minister of Social Affairs did not hesitate to carry the children and provide food and play equipment. While entertaining the children in the evacuee camp, he also held a dialogue with the women at the mosque next to the regent's office which was used as an evacuee.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Social Protection and Security of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Pepen Nazaruddin, said the Ministry of Social Affairs would carry out structured psychosocial activities.

"Some time after three weeks from the current activity, the LDP team will provide another assessment of their condition. If it turns out that they already need school activities, it means we are coordinating with the education office to make disaster emergency schools by observing health protocols. It can be done online ," he said.

Pepen explained that with the LDP team, the children in the refugee camps are expected to be calmer in facing disasters that even destroy their homes.

"The LDP team will reach all areas affected by flash floods in Masamba, North Luwu Regency, they are tasked with providing comfort to flood victims," ​​added Pepen.

Meanwhile, the Regent of North Luwu Indah Putri Indriani said she was happy with the attention given by President Jokowi through the Minister of Social Affairs.

"This great attention from the President can increase the enthusiasm of the people of North Luwu to rise. We together with all elements of the government, TNI, volunteers and the community work together to clean and evacuate and look for victims who have not been found," explained Indah.

Indah admitted that she focused on opening access roads that were still isolated, especially on national road access.

According to him, it is important to do this because the road is a logistics distribution route for residents affected by floods.

"Considering this is the lifeblood of traffic and the economy, especially to distribute logistics to several refugee areas in North Luwu Regency," said Indah.

So far, Indah said, assistance for isolated residents can be done using two-wheeled vehicles.

"For example, in mountainous areas, in Masamba City, considering that access is indeed cut off. So both the suspension bridge and the concrete bridge were cut off, so we looked for mountain roads," he said.

The North Luwu BPBD released data on the number of residents who fled to a number of areas that were still safe from the flash floods of the Masamba river. The number of refugees so far has reached 14,483 people. The largest number of refugees came from Masamba, namely 7,748 people, followed by Baebunta 5,808 people, then Sabbang 927 people.