KSP Dispatches Floating Pumps to Clean Houses Affected by Floods in Aceh

The Presidential Staff Office distributes floating pumps to clean homes and public facilities of residents affected by floods in Pidie and Pidie Jaya Regencies, Aceh. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) distributed floating pumps to clean the houses and public facilities of residents affected by floods in Pidie and Pidie Jaya Regencies, Aceh, Saturday, January 3.

The distribution was carried out simultaneously with the activity of cleaning the residents' settlements together with the TNI and Polri.

The main expert of the Third Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Iwan Eka, said that his party's presence in Aceh was aimed at ensuring that the assistance really provided direct benefits to affected residents.

"Assistance from the KSP family arrived at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Aceh Besar, and today we ensure that we immediately move to the affected locations in Pidie and Pidie Jaya," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, January 4.

Iwan Eka explained that KSP had sent 10 units of floating pumps, with 7 units having arrived and being used immediately, while the rest were still in the process of being shipped.

According to him, stagnant water, accumulated mud, and limited basic needs, especially for babies and children, are the most urgent problems faced by residents after the disaster.

"We chose this floating pump because it is portable, adaptive, and effective in reaching densely populated residential areas that cannot be accessed by heavy equipment. This is not a symbol of assistance, but a working tool that is directly used to help residents so that their homes dry faster and can be occupied again," he said.

The tool is used to suck up puddles, rinse mud, and speed up the drying of houses and public facilities.

In Gampong Lamkawe, Kembang Tanjong, Pidie Regency, floating pumps are used to clean the field and sports facilities covered with mud. This public area is prioritized so that it can be used again by residents as a space for joint activities.

Meanwhile, in Gampong Tiba Mosque, Mutiara Timur, Pidie Regency, the cleaning was focused on residents' houses by sucking up puddles and washing away the mud that settled in the residential area.

Similar activities were also carried out in Gampong Dayah Usen, Meurah Dua District, Pidie Jaya Regency, which has been one of the slowest areas to recover after the flood.

In addition to the floating pump, KSP also distributed clothes, children's toys, and various basic household needs.

Clothing and toy assistance for children is distributed so that children still feel cared for and safe in the midst of an emergency situation.

This step is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's instructions which emphasize the importance of empathy and mutual cooperation in handling disasters.

"The state is not only present to bring assistance, but also empathy, awareness of limitations, and a commitment to continue to learn and adapt so that recovery is truly felt by the people," said Iwan Eka.

As a reinforcement of the follow-up response, KSP is also preparing a Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifier machine for the provision of clean drinking water.

A total of six units are being prepared and will be sent to Pidie and Pidie Jaya soon.

KSP expressed appreciation to the local government, TNI and Polri, volunteers, community leaders, and all elements involved in the field.

"According to the President's instructions, solidarity and togetherness are the key. By joining hands, post-disaster recovery will run faster and stronger," concluded Iwan Eka.