Minister urges data support for faster disaster relief in Sumatra

 Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has ordered an acceleration in data collection and compilation to boost the swiftness and accuracy of aid distribution to residents affected by floods and landslides that struck Sumatra last November.

“There remain certain technical matters requiring attention from us all,” he remarked after a coordination meeting on post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for Sumatra in Jakarta, according to a statement cited 

Speaking as chair of a task force established to expedite Sumatra’s recovery, Karnavian asserted that efficient data collection and processing are essential to the uninterrupted distribution of disaster relief to those in urgent need.

On that note, he said the government had devised various schemes of assistance to support disaster survivors, including home repairs and financial aid aimed at sustaining day-to-day lives.

He pointed out that the home repair program is targeted for affected residences falling within three categories: aid worth Rp15 million (US$890) for each house suffering minor damage, Rp30 million for medium damage, and Rp60 million for severe damage.

Regarding living expense aid, the minister noted that it comprises Rp5 million (nearly US$300) in economic stimuli, household furnishing support valued at Rp3 million (US$178), and daily cash of Rp15,000 (about US$1).

Karnavian underlined the urgency for stakeholders to ensure that the assistance promptly reaches targeted recipients to ease the burden of disaster victims as they observe Ramadan.

To that end, he called on Statistics Indonesia (BPS) to contribute by expediting data validation as part of efforts to help affected citizens recover from the deadly disasters.

The minister delivered the remarks in the presence of Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antono, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Chief Suharyanto, BPS Head Amalia Widyasanti, and Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah.