Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government is speeding food aid to earthquake victims in East Nusa Tenggara, mobilizing supplies before administrative procedures are completed, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said.
“This is important. We have to go into the field. This is humanitarian work. Whoever sees a problem should report it, and we will act quickly,” he said in a statement confirmed here Thursday.
The minister had dispatched trucks carrying food aid from Labuan Bajo on Wednesday to communities affected by the disaster in East Nusa Tenggara.
The trucks carried rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, sugar and other essentials, with instructions to deliver supplies immediately without waiting for lengthy administrative procedures.
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Sulaiman said the rapid response followed President Prabowo Subianto’s direct instruction after the disaster struck.
“We were ordered by the President to move quickly. Go into the field, act fast and solve problems rather than bring them to Jakarta,” he said.
During a visit to an affected area, Sulaiman ordered a local government’s rice request increased tenfold, from 20 tons to 200 tons.
He said administrative procedures must not delay emergency aid. Rice could be released from warehouses immediately, with approvals and paperwork completed afterward.
Field estimates show about 34,000 displaced people need roughly 300 tons of rice monthly, while regional stocks stand at about 39,000 tons.
Sulaiman said rice supplies for affected communities were secure even if the disaster response lasted longer.
“There is no problem. The rice supply is safe for six months, even up to one year,” he said.
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Translator: Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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