CIANJUR (May 17, 2024) - The Ministry of Social Affairs' Social Barn program has proven to shorten the logistics distribution time to disaster locations, especially in isolated areas or far from the city center. For example, in Cianjur Regency, West Java, there is a Social Barn in Cimenteng Village, Campaka District. In this village, landslides often occur, while the access to Cimenteng Village is quite far, and the terrain is rugged.

Geographically, Cimenteng Village is located 2 hours away from the city center of Cianjur, with narrow and hilly access roads. If a landslide closes the road, the access to Cimenteng must rotate through Sukabumi, which takes up to 3-4 hours. If a landslide occurs, the distribution of logistical assistance takes a long time. However, after the Social Barn in Cimenteng Village had existed, logistical aid could have been distributed immediately.

The head of the Cimenteng Village Disaster Preparedness Village (KSB), Dede Jamasari, said that the residents did not believe the aid could arrive quickly. "The response of the community was as if they couldn't believe that the aid could reach the residents whose houses were hit by the landslide so quickly," said Dede.

Since its establishment on December 13, 2023, until now the Social Barn in Cimenteng Village has handled five landslides and one fire disaster in Cimenteng Village.

"It is beneficial for us; when there is a disaster, it can be used immediately to help. Before there was a Social Barn, we had difficulty getting logistical assistance from the local government because it took approximately 2 hours, even if the access was not cut off. After the Social Barn, we can immediately distribute logistics such as foodstuffs stored in the barn," added Dede.

The Social Barn contains items disaster victims need, such as ready-to-eat food, clothing, baby equipment, cooking utensils, tents, etc. The logistical items are placed in a warehouse in the village and managed by the Disaster Preparedness Village, which the Ministry of Social Affairs also formed.