Gov’t Boosts Disaster Relief Efforts through Additional Funding, Faster Public Services

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian delivers his press statement at the Integrated Disaster Management Command Post at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, Friday (12/19). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

The Government has ensured that disaster response efforts in several regions are proceeding swiftly and in a coordinated manner through budgetary support, logistics assistance, and accelerated delivery of basic services to affected people.

“President Prabowo Subianto has allocated additional contingency spending budgets amounting to Rp268 billion for 52 disaster-affected regencies/cities and provinces. We have verified that all the funds have been received by the three affected provinces,” Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian said at the Integrated Disaster Management Command Post at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, Friday (12/19).

In addition, regional governments across the country also demonstrated solidarity by providing financial and material assistance.

“A total of Rp43 billion, plus contributions from the association of regency governments, led by Regent of Lahat Bursah Zarnubi, who also went directly to the affected areas, amounting to approximately Rp5 billion. Altogether, the total is around Rp48 billion,” Tito added.

Tito also stated that Ministry of Home Affairs has accelerated the restoration of population administration services for disaster-affected residents.

“The Ministry has formed nine teams from the civil registration office and deployed them to three provinces starting December 10 to expedite services, including the processing of civil registration documents such as birth certificates, identity cards, and other documents that were lost, free of charge, directly at disaster locations,” Tito said.

As part of medium-term recovery efforts, Tito went on to say that the Government is preparing the construction of permanent housing through cross-ministerial cooperation and support from non-governmental organizations.

“There will be 2,600 housing units built without using the state budget: 1,000 units in Aceh, 1,000 in North Sumatra, and 600 in West Sumatra. Tomorrow, groundbreakings will take place in Sibolga city, Central Tapanuli regency, and South Tapanuli regency,” the Minister said.

Tito further said that the Government is currently collecting data on village offices damaged by the disaster.

“As for the offices with minor damage, we will assess whether regional governments can carry out repairs on their own or the Central Government will take over if they are unable to do so. As for the offices with severe damage, we will refer them to Ministry of Public Works,” Tito concluded. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/MMB)