Prabowo Ensures Government Changes Flood Victims' Houses

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the government will replace all houses that were washed away and lost due to the flood disaster in Sumatra.

While visiting disaster victims at the refugee post at SMP 2 Wih Pesam, Bener Meriah, Central Aceh, Prabowo said the government had deployed dozens of helicopters and planes to send aid to disaster victims.

"We will overcome it, we will move together. We have deployed dozens of helicopters, dozens of planes, we have prepared as well. We have planned to replace all the houses that were washed away, which were lost," Prabowo said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, December 12.

The President emphasized that the handling of flood problems cannot be resolved instantly.

"We need patience from all of you because we can't solve all of that immediately. I'm sorry, the President of Indonesia doesn't have the stick of Prophet Musa," he said.

During the visit, Prabowo appreciated all parties who have worked hard in dealing with disasters, from local governments to security forces.

The President also ensured that the government would not leave disaster victims alone. He and all levels of the central and regional governments will continue to monitor developments in the field.

Prabowo also ensured that recovery efforts were sustainable, and provided full support for the affected communities.

"We will be with the gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen will not be alone, we will be together," he added.

Previously, the government estimated that the budget requirement was around IDR 51 trillion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of basic infrastructure after the flood and landslide disaster in three provinces in Sumatra.

Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who is familiarly called AHY, said the figure was the result of the initial calculation of the Ministry of Public Works (PU) which had been submitted to President Prabowo Subianto.

"In general, the budget requirement calculated by the Ministry of Public Works for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the three provinces is around Rp. 51 trillion, with the largest portion in Aceh," said AHY after the Ministerial Level Coordination Meeting related to Post-Disaster Sumatra in Jakarta on Thursday (11/12).

He explained that the estimation includes handling damage to road and bridge networks (prostitutional guidance), water resource infrastructure such as dams, irrigation, embankments and raw water, clean water infrastructure and sanitation (work creation), as well as strategic social infrastructure such as schools, madrasas and houses of worship.