The Movement of the Economy, the Ministry of PU involves 44,954 Local Workers to Help Handle the Sumatra Disaster

The Ministry of PU has empowered 44,954 local workers to help handle the Sumatra disaster. Photo: Dok. Ministry of PU

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) said it had empowered 44,954 local workers through the Community-Based Infrastructure (IBM) program to help handle the Sumatra disaster.

The program targets areas affected by flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

"Through the Cash Work Program, we are bringing about a recovery that not only rebuilds infrastructure, but also revives the livelihoods of affected residents," said Minister PU Dody Hanggodo as quoted from a written statement, Tuesday, January 20.

According to Dody, the program not only accelerates the recovery of infrastructure, but also provides employment and income opportunities for local communities. Thus, the process of recovering from disasters can be felt together.

"Post-disaster handling should not stop at physical development alone, but must also restart the wheels of the community's economy," he said.

In difficult locations that are difficult to reach with heavy equipment, Dody said, his party is optimizing labor-intensive workers with the support of small-sized equipment.

"So, the cleaning is still effective and able to reach all affected areas, including settlements and public facilities," he said.

One of the hard-working workers, Tri Kurniawan, a resident of Karang Baru, Aceh Tamiang, said that for the past two weeks he had been helping to clean up mud and debris from the disaster, from residential areas to public facilities.

'Alhamdulillah, there is work. We, we, have no work after the flood. Yesterday I was invited by my brother who works at huntara," he explained.

He assessed that the wages he received were the main source of livelihood to help parents who could no longer work due to the disaster.

"Some of the income is even set aside to buy the needs of the parents," he said.