KKP Sends 1,142 Trainees to Accelerate Post-Flood Rehabilitation of North Sumatra

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has sent 1,142 vocational education unit cadets to accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh and West Sumatra provinces after the recent floods and landslides.

"Our presence today is a confirmation of the state's commitment to be present in the midst of disaster-affected communities as well as a confirmation of the values of dedication, solidarity and humanity," said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono in the Release of Maritime and Fisheries Cadets to the Sumatra Disaster Location at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base (Lanud), Jakarta, Wednesday, January 14.

At least, there were 300 cadets present at the symbolic release ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, January 14.

Trenggono said that other cadets were on standby at the disaster site, both in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, and were on their way.

He said that thousands of young people were active cadets from the Fisheries Business Expert Polytechnic (AUP), the Pangandaran Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, the Karawang Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, the Sidoarjo Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, the Dumai Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, and the Middle Fisheries Business School in Ladong and Pariaman.

The release of the cadets was said to be a form of KKP's contribution to accelerating rehabilitation and reconstruction after the recent floods and landslides in Aceh and West Sumatra provinces.

According to him, KKP as an institution that manages 11 universities and 5 fisheries schools is not only responsible for producing superior human resources technically, but also forming their leadership character and social concern.

He assessed that assigning cadets to disaster sites was part of the whole education process. Considering that cadets learn directly about the meaning of dedication, cross-agency cooperation, discipline, empathy and courage to be present when the nation needs it.

In the assignment to the disaster site, Trenggono ensured that he had prepared a scheme in coordination with related agencies, to pay attention to safety aspects, effectiveness of mobilization and needs in the field.

This is because the cadets will be assigned to support the reconstruction of public facilities after disasters, environmental and settlement rehabilitation, trauma healing activities and social risk assistance for the community as well as other humanitarian tasks as needed in the affected areas.

"All these activities are carried out with the spirit of mutual cooperation and dedication and remain in coordination with the disaster handling task force," he concluded.

Present at the release of the KKP cadets were the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) and Chairman of the Post-disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force, Tito Karnavian, Deputy Minister of KP Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, representatives of the TNI-Polri and representatives of BNPB.