Indonesia Increases Rice Supply to Flood Victims in Sumatra

Government Response to Natural Disaster

The Indonesian government has taken decisive action to support victims of recent flooding in Sumatra by doubling the rice supply to affected regions. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, announced that the allocation of rice aid to Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra will be increased to 1,000 tons per region. This decision was made during a limited ministerial coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta.

Challenges in Aid Distribution

The decision to double the rice supply comes as the government faces significant challenges in delivering aid to the affected areas. Multiple roads have been severed due to the floods, leaving some communities isolated. To address this, the government has deployed helicopters from various sources, including the Ministry of Transportation and private companies, to transport aid to these hard-to-reach areas.

Current Stock Status

According to Bulog, the state-owned logistics agency responsible for food distribution, the current stock levels of rice in the affected regions have been significantly depleted due to the increased demand. In Aceh, rice stock has decreased from 97,416 tons to 82,296 tons. North Sumatra's stock has dropped from 43,636 tons to 29,943 tons, while West Sumatra's stock has reduced from 9,530 tons to 7,996 tons.

Government Coordination Efforts

The government has been working closely with various agencies to ensure the efficient distribution of aid. Zulkifli Hasan has directed Bulog to expedite the delivery of rice to the affected regions. The National Police (Polri) has also been involved, with Hasan requesting additional helicopters to facilitate the transportation of aid.

Impact on Food Security

The increased allocation of rice is expected to significantly improve food security in the flood-affected areas. By doubling the supply, the government aims to meet the growing needs of the affected populations and prevent potential shortages that could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.