Minister Of Agriculture Amran Ensures Food Assistance For West Sumatra Flood Victims Is Distributed Quickly And Measurably

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman (Between)

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that food assistance for flood victims in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) is distributed by the government quickly and measurably to ensure that the basic needs of the affected communities are still well met.

"The government through the Ministry of Agriculture has moved quickly to provide food support and strategic assistance to accelerate regional recovery," said the Minister of Agriculture when opening the VII Congress of the Andalas University Alumni Family Association (IKA Unand) online as quoted by Antara Jakarta, Sunday, November 30.

In the activity which took place on Saturday (29/11), the Minister of Agriculture also expressed his deep concern for the people of West Sumatra who are facing natural disasters.

As part of this quick step, the Ministry of Agriculture together with related institutions ensures that the distribution of food aid for communities affected by floods and landslides in West Sumatra, including North Sumatra, and Aceh is carried out by the government.

He said the total aid distributed was 10,614 tons of rice and 1,954 tons of cooking oil for Aceh, 16,894 tons of rice and 3,108 tons of cooking oil for North Sumatra, and 6,795 tons of rice and 1,250 tons of cooking oil for West Sumatra.

Amran emphasized that specifically for West Sumatra, the Ministry of Agriculture has prepared 6,794 tons of rice reserves for the next two months, 1,358 kiloliters of cooking oil, an additional 358 tons of rice, as well as support for rice and corn seeds for the needs of 10,000 hectares of planting land.

"Our team is already in the field to help our brothers and sisters who are in trouble. Every time the region needs it, the Ministry of Agriculture is always ready to work quickly. Food preparedness is very important, especially in the face of weather dynamics and field situations," said Amran.

Previously, Minister of Agriculture Amran also emphasized that national food reserves were in such a safe condition that the government could immediately issue aid stocks after the disaster occurred.

These are our brothers in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh. There is a flood disaster. The government will send aid. The first is rice and cooking oil," he said.

The distribution of aid is carried out in an integrated manner with the support of Bapanas, Bulog, Food Task Force, TNI, and elements of the local government.

Minister of Agriculture Amran also ensured that he would go directly to check the conditions on the ground.

Meanwhile, Chairman of IKA Andalas University for the 2021-2025 period Rustian emphasized that the high intensity of disasters in Indonesia requires strong synergy, including contributions from university alumni.

"If we look at disaster-prone maps, the colors are only two, red and yellow. This means high and moderate, nothing low. So it means that the presence of Unand alumni is very important in contributing to disaster management," said Rustian.

According to him, disasters occur almost every day in various areas, both from Sabang to Merauke with an intensity of 15 to 20 disasters.

"That's what is handled by the center. If those handled by the area are not registered, maybe more. Every day, every day there may be more than 50," he added.

So he emphasized that with the collaboration of all parties, including the central government, local governments, food institutions, and networks of university alumni, post-disaster recovery can be carried out faster and public food security can be maintained.