JAKARTA - PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) as Pertamina Gas Subholding continues to strengthen emergency responses to flood disasters that hit a number of areas in Sumatra. The high rainfall in the last few days caused land access to be cut off, telecommunication network disruption, and increasing the need for evacuation of residents in isolated areas. To answer these challenges, PGN sent a team by sea to accelerate the distribution of aid, assist the evacuation process, and reopen communication access in affected areas.
The evacuation process began on Monday, December 1 night. The use of sea routes was chosen because a number of road access could still not be passed by vehicles, while the water level and river current were still quite high at several points. The team's movement was carried out after intensive coordination with related agencies, including port officials and local volunteers, to ensure safety and effectiveness of operations in the field.
In addition, additional personnel were dispatched using fishing boats from Belawan during the day by carrying aid logistics that could be brought by the team which is expected to relieve victims and meet the basic needs of disaster victims. The team is expected to arrive in Langsa at night before continuing their journey to Pangkalan Susu on Tuesday, December 2 morning. Upon arrival at the location, the team immediately conducted a sweep at a number of flood points that were still isolated, synergizing with local fishermen.
With the condition of sea water that had receded, Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu's boat was deployed to help evacuate to the mainland. Through this collaboration, the rescue process went faster and coordinated, so the team managed to evacuate 35 people consisting of workers and the community.
Not only sending an evacuation team, PGN also brought basic necessities, ready-to-eat food, medicines and operational equipment support in the form of generators and satellite communication devices. This device is installed to facilitate evacuation communication and delivery of aid that is in a blank spot condition to ensure coordination and information exchange continues. With the satellite internet network, the joint team can update field condition data in real time, map out the location of victims who need immediate help, as well as accelerate logistics distribution such as ready-to-eat food, medicines, and emergency response equipment.
"In an emergency situation, the speed of information can save lives. Communication support is the initial door for evacuation and distribution of targeted assistance," said Ris Haryono, VP of RSS SOR 1 PGN Sumatra Region.
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PGN has been coordinating closely with Customs and Excise, Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu, Pertagas, port officials, local fishermen, local volunteers, the technical team of PT PGAS Telekomunikasi Nusantara (PGNCom) and PGN Solution. This collaboration is important to ensure the readiness of evacuation equipment, shipping routes, as well as the installation of field communication points.
PGN expressed its appreciation to all parties on the front lines of disaster management, especially rescue teams and volunteers who work relentlessly to help affected residents. We are committed to continuing to support efforts to evacuate, restore communication networks, and distribute aid until conditions recover," said PGN Corporate Secretary, Fajriyah Usman.
With this step, PGN hopes that energy support, logistics, and recovery of communication networks can have a real impact on people who are facing difficult times due to flood disasters in Sumatra.
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