JAKARTA: Floods and landslides in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have left 811 people dead and 623 missing, according to the latest official data by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Wednesday.
The BNPB stated in a press release that it had received 40 tons of relief supplies on Tuesday, coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. The aid included food, drinking water and medical equipment, which would be distributed to affected areas across the three provinces.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the assistance reflects the government’s concern for disaster-affected communities, adding that it is expected to “help meet urgent needs, expedite the disaster response process, and provide strength to all parties working to recover from the disaster.”
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said Tuesday that the government’s current priorities include meeting the needs of residents, accelerating socio-economic recovery, and repairing infrastructure disrupted by the disaster.