Gov’t Deploys TNI, Polri Personnel to Accelerate Disaster Response in Sumatra

Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces Gen. Agus Subiyanto and the Chief of National Police Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo at the plenary cabinet meeting, the State Palace, Central Jakarta, Monday (12/15). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

In a bid to intensify disaster response and recovery efforts across Sumatra, the Government has deployed integrated force from the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) personnel, as reported during a plenary cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, Monday (12/15).

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto reported that 35,477 military personnel have been deployed to Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, consisting the Army, Navy, Air Force, and medical task force units.

“The Army has deployed 28,319 personnel, including ground troops and helicopter crews. The Navy has deployed 4,589 personnel, including warship crews. The Air Force has deployed 2,569 personnel. There are also 321 medical task force personnel being deployed,” he said.

According to Agus, the TNI has also mobilized 82 units of military equipment, including aircraft, helicopters, and 20 naval vessels, to reach areas inaccessible by land, adding that logistics support is in place, particularly for remote disaster-hit regions.

“A Hercules aircraft delivered logistics to the Blangkejeren area through an airdrop of 36 bundles, each weighing 160 kilograms, for a total of 5,760 kilograms. In the same area, a Casa A2114 aircraft delivered 100 heliboxes, each weighing 5 kilograms, totaling 500 kilograms,” the TNI Commander said, adding that a total of 495,276 kilograms of supplies have been deployed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.

Meanwhile, the Polri Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the Polri have deployed 10,999 personnel across the three provinces, including the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams.

Listyo further said that the Polri deployed the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Police Corps, trauma healing teams, transportation assets, K9 units, aircraft, and provided evacuation shelters, logistics, and medical services. He further said that the Polri medical teams have provided health services to 24,439 displaced residents, including DVI examinations of 1,015 disaster victims.

“The deployment of the Polri personnel can be adjusted. If needed in Aceh, we will shift forces to Aceh, and vice versa,” Listyo remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/MUR)