The Indonesian Navy And The Joint Team Establish Public Kitchen For Demak Flood Victims

Photo: Doc. Antara/Fath Putra Mulya

Various aids were deployed to relieve flood-affected victims in Demak. One of the initiatives came from the Navy (AL), through the Demak Naval Post (Posal) which built a public kitchen in a refugee area in Demak Regency, Central Java.

The public kitchen is a synergy between Posal Demak, a volunteer for the Al-Qur'an Interpretation Council (MTA), the Demak Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and the joint SAR Team.

The Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali in a press release from the Naval Information Service received in Jakarta, Sunday, advised all Jalasena Soldiers to always help people who are experiencing difficulties, as happened in the Demak area.

"TNI AL soldiers must be able to provide benefits to the community wherever they are and on duty, especially in emergency conditions, one of which is natural disasters that occur in the country," said Ali, quoted by Antara, Sunday, March 24.

The purpose of operating the public kitchen is to help residents affected by flooding, both displaced and those who remain at their homes. A number of basic necessities are provided in the kitchen, such as food and mineral water.

The Indonesian Navy hopes that the public kitchen can be useful for victims of the Demak flood, especially when disasters occur to coincide with the fasting of Ramadan.

Floods in Demak Regency have occurred since Thursday (14/3). Head of BPBD Demak Regency M. Agus Nugroho Luhur P said the flood was caused by high rainfall on Wednesday (13/3) night which caused the water discharge in the upstream to downstream region to increase.

Floods are getting worse due to the six embankments that divide the local river flow. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that the broken embankment was spread over the Wulan River which is on the border between Demak and Kudus Regencies.

Meanwhile, Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Ahmad Luthfi said three areas were still flooded, as of Saturday (23/3), namely Demak, Kudus, and Pati, while other areas had gradually recovered.