Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Distributes IDR 86.1 Billion to 4,347 Flood Victims in Bireuen

4,347 flood-affected families in Bireuen Regency received IDR 86.1 billion in government assistance, handed over by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., on Tuesday afternoon (March 3) at the Regent's Office.

The symbolic handover of aid was attended by Deputy Governor of Aceh Fadhullah and Bireuen Regent H. Mukhlis. Representatives from 16 regencies/cities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces also participated via Zoom meeting.

Data obtained indicates that assistance for repairing lightly and moderately damaged houses affected by the Senyar Hydro-Meteorological Disaster, Phase II, and Phase I for Bireuen, was provided to 2,954 families with a budget of Rp 44,310,000,000 for lightly damaged houses, and Rp 41,790,000,000 for moderately damaged houses for 1,393 families.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno explained that today the government is redistributing aid to disaster victims, intended for the second phase of repairing lightly and moderately damaged houses. Bireuen is Phase I, he said.

This assistance is being distributed in stages because it is highly dependent on the readiness of data proposals from the regions. "We just symbolically handed over the aid, and 16 regencies/cities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra participated via Zoom meeting," he explained.

The Coordinating Minister stated that, in accordance with the President's directive, this assistance is being provided so that people can quickly return to their daily activities. "So, with the provision of Rp 15 million in stimulus funds for lightly damaged houses and Rp 30 million for moderately damaged houses, people can quickly rebuild their lives and return home, no longer being evacuated," he hoped.

Pratikno also stated that in addition to providing stimulus assistance, the government will also expedite home construction for victims of severely damaged houses. "In this case, we do need time and will continue to work hard to complete the rehabilitation and reconstruction as quickly as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary (Sestama) of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Dr. Rustian, S.Si. Apt., MKes, added that the second phase of stimulus funds was provided to three provinces and 16 regencies/cities with a total budget of nearly Rp 160 billion, with varying amounts, with the highest amount being allocated to Bireuen Regency at Rp 86,100,000,000.

He confirmed that it was possible that other regencies/cities were still undergoing data verification and validation, which would be submitted by the Regents and Mayors.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Aceh, Fadhullah, familiarly known as Dek Fadh, also stated that efforts to accelerate the realization of stimulus assistance and housing construction, as stated by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, are highly dependent on data submitted by the Regional Government.

"We always urge the Regional Government to ensure accurate data, starting from the village level, including the village heads (Keuchik) and sub-district heads (Camat), because communities affected by this disaster deserve government assistance," the Deputy Governor emphasized.

The second-ranking official in Aceh also expressed his gratitude for the distribution of aid funds for victims of lightly and moderately damaged houses. This is clear evidence of the central government's presence in the region.

The Deputy Governor stated that disbursing government funds must be based on data and regulations. Likewise, after verification, flood victim data is signed by the Head of the District Attorney's Office, the Chief of Police, and the Regent, before being submitted to the central government.

Furthermore, community objections are announced at the village level to ensure a transparent process, ensuring accurate data, and ensuring that all disaster victims receive assistance, Fadhullah said.

Bireuen Regent, H. Mukhlis ST, also explained on the occasion that data on houses damaged by floods and landslides had passed verification. Of the more than 23,000 houses, over 5,000 had received minor and moderate damage, and 1,100 houses had suffered severe damage.

Meanwhile, nearly 10,000 more damaged houses have not been verified. This includes data on objections from the public, which will be released some time later. We hope this data will be included in the second phase of assistance, added Regent Mukhlis.