Cabinet Secretary: Assistance To Aceh Tamiang Has Been Distributed
JAKARTA - Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya claimed that the aid transported by trucks from Medan, North Sumatra, managed to enter the Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh via land route. The aid is said to have been received by local residents.
The land route to Aceh Tamiang was cut off for several days due to flash floods and landslides on Tuesday (25/11) last week causing the area to be isolated from the surrounding area.
"On December 2, the land route that was previously cut off has been connected. Then, all aid trucks from Medan to Aceh Tamiang since yesterday, and especially today can walk through Medan to Aceh Tamiang. The journey may take 3 hours," said Seskab Teddy in response to reporters' questions during a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 3.
"Then, last time we contacted him (the Regent of Aceh Tamiang Armia Fahmi, ed.), at 1 pm this afternoon he was sending aid coming from Medan in Aceh Tamiang. The point is, Alhamdulilah, the land route is connected," continued Seskab Teddy.
Teddy emphasized that the government is trying hard to accelerate the distribution of aid in order to reach all sub-districts and villages in Aceh Tamiang Regency. There are at least 12 sub-districts and 216 villages in Aceh Tamiang Regency.
"We hope that the distribution together can be maximized," said Teddy.
At the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Sumatran Disaster Assistance Post, Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno chaired a press conference regarding the handling of flash floods and landslides in three provinces of Sumatra, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Pratikno stated that President Prabowo Subianto had instructed his staff to handle the impact of disasters in Sumatra to be treated as a national priority.
"The president gave instructions that this situation be treated as a national priority, including guarantees that national funds and logistics are fully available, in total, one of which is during this emergency response using ready-to-use funds. All institutions have been instructed by the President to be extra responsive and ensure focus on saving victims, distributing aid, and recovering various vital facilities and services," said Pratikno.