Airlangga: The Impact Of Disasters In Aceh And New Sumatra Is Calculated After Emergency Response

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the disaster that occurred will certainly have an impact on economic growth, especially in the areas of Aceh, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), and West Sumatra (West Sumatra).

He explained that the government would carry out calculations regarding the magnitude of the impact after the emergency response period ended.

"Of course the impact will be certain in the areas of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Well, we will calculate later because it is still in disaster response first," he told the media crew at the Premier Rawamangun Post Office, Thursday, December 4.

Airlangga emphasized that the government will prepare a rehabilitation program for affected areas and take mitigation steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"Of course mitigation is needed," he said.

For information, there is a Ready-to-Use Fund (DSP) of around Rp. 500 billion in the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) for disaster preparedness.

When asked about the plan to disburse the funds, Airlangga stated that the government would still carry out further monitoring.

"We'll monitor it later," he explained.

Previously, the government ensured that the disaster management budget was still sufficient.

This was conveyed in the midst of the circulation of the issue that the budget for the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) was decreasing, while disaster events continued to increase in various regions, including in Sumatra.

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive explained that BNPB currently still has more than Rp500 billion in funds that can be immediately used for disaster management operations.

He also ensured that if the needs in the field exceeded that amount, the government was ready to increase the budget.

"BNPB still has more than Rp500 billion. Then if later we need additional funds we are ready to add and already in the budget," said Purbaya when met after attending the Kadin National Meeting, Monday, December 1.

"(How much is the budget fund?) This depends on BNPB's request. You know I am rich. But the money is enough," he added.

He added that the additional budget could be submitted through an Additional Budget (ABT) mechanism.

"It would be a disaster if I'm not mistaken. What is clear, I forgot the cord. It seems that there is a disaster emergency and we just need to submit a BNPB to us. We will process it later.

Purbaya also ensured that the government did not lack funds for emergency needs. "Wow, we are ready to continue," he said.

He reminded that disaster emergency funds are available and the government is ready to support disaster management, both in the emergency and rehabilitation stages.

"Indeed, I asked how much. How much is enough do you think? We are enough. Including for rehabilitation, it will be done," he said.

When asked whether the additional budget also includes social protection for affected residents, Purbaya said that it depended on BNPB's proposal.

"I don't know what kind of submission from BNPB will depend on later. But the money is enough," he said.