Ministry of Social Affairs Prepares Inheritance Compensation for Flood Victims in Medan

MEDAN (December 6, 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs is currently collecting data and preparing compensation for heirs for five victims who died due to the big flood in Medan City.

The flash floods that hit a number of areas in Medan were triggered by heavy rains from Thursday (3/12) night to Friday (4/12) early in the morning. As a result, 5 people were found dead, while 1 other person is still being searched.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, which in this case is represented by the Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA), M. Safii Nasution, said that his party will immediately distribute heir assistance to the five victims.

"We have visited 5 families of the victims who died out of 6 who were declared missing. We will provide compensation to the heirs in the amount of Rp15 million per person," said Safii when visiting the refugee camp at the Tanjung Selamet Village Hall, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency, on Sunday ( 6/12).

In addition to preparing heirs assistance funds, the Ministry of Social Affairs also makes an inventory of the needs of evacuees, ranging from logistics, cleaning needs, to COVID-19 evacuee tents.

"We have a 6x10 COVID-19 evacuee tent, equipped with insulation every 2 meters and ventilation, this is to avoid droplets, the amount will depend on the need," added Safii.

The addition of evacuee tents is deemed necessary, especially for vulnerable groups, the elderly and children, because the Tanjung Selamat Village Hall has a limited capacity to accommodate as many as 323 people.

The limited space available, makes evacuees sleep on the floor with makeshift mats. The addition of the tent is intended to prevent the refugees from getting sick while in the evacuee camps.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also mobilized 38 Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) to manage field public kitchens located not far from the evacuee camps to supply the food needs of evacuees as long as there are residents who are still evacuating.

"In addition to establishing a field public kitchen, they (Tagana) also work together with residents to clean up the mud in people's homes," said Safii.

Floods in Medan occurred after the Deli, Babura and Denai rivers overflowed. The 30-60 cm high flood submerged hundreds of houses on the riverbanks since Thursday night. At least, there are four sub-districts affected by the flood, namely Medan Johor District, Medan Maimun District, Medan Sunggal District and Medan Tuntungan District.

Based on data from the Medan City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), as of Sunday (6/12), it was reported that 1,983 housing units were submerged and 5,965 people were forced to evacuate at several points.