During a visit to Palangkaraya city, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini said her ministry would prepare social granaries to store and channel assistance to disaster victims.

“Tomorrow, we will conduct a meeting to prepare social granaries. There will be not only food, but also boats, water purifiers, generators, and other equipment,” she informed while visiting a flood refugee camp at the National Sports Committee (KONI) Sports Hall and the residents of Flamboyan Bawah housing complex.

The ministry, along with the governments of five districts in the province, will hold a coordination meeting for disaster mapping, the minister said.

“The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has forecast that the peak of the rainy season will be in January–February 2022. Thus, we must anticipate it. Hence, I ask the regional heads to prepare the locations for the social granaries,” she remarked.

The social granaries will be established in sub-districts to ensure the community has access to aid during a disaster, she explained.

During her visit, the minister interacted with flood victims and handed a number of gifts to children in refugee camps.

She also disbursed compensation worth Rp15 million to the kin of deceased victims.

In addition, the ministry is providing further assistance in the form of Psychosocial Support Services (LDP), logistics, and Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI), Rismaharini noted.

The psychosocial support services are being provided to survivors to ease their psychological burden and help them recover from the trauma, she said.

Meanwhile, the ATENSI provided to victims has reached more than Rp1 billion, she added.

Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan, Edy Pratowo, said that for dealing with flooding in the province, his office has strived to be responsive.

The provincial government has ensured that the displaced and affected residents get adequate accommodation, clothing, and food, he said.

According to Palangkaraya Mayor Fairid Naparin, other residents were also actively involved in helping flood victims.

Some residents provided direct assistance to victims, while others managed evacuation posts and sites, he said. In addition, there were people who raised funds and gave self-help assistance, he added.

Naparin lauded people’s concern for the victims and assistance to the government for fulfilling the basic necessities of the victims.

Source: Antara News