Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed budget support for the construction of temporary housing (huntara) and permanent housing (huntap) for disaster survivors in Sumatra.“Temporary and permanent housing units built this year can be charged directly to us through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). There is still Rp1.51 trillion available, so if the process can be accelerated, please proceed,” said Purbaya during a Coordination Meeting of the Post-Disaster Recovery Task Force for Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, followed online in Jakarta, Tuesday.
He said budget support can be disbursed immediately as long as construction is underway and coordinated through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
“I was once asked by the Palace about how the disbursement works, and I explained that it is handled through a single channel via the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. We avoid multiple channels because they would be difficult to verify,” he said.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa attended a coordination meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Post-Disaster Recovery Task Force, alongside cabinet ministers and regional leaders from disaster-affected areas, to discuss accelerated response and recovery measures following disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
Baca juga: Govt allocates budget for rebuilding disaster-affected Sumatra
During the meeting, Purbaya reaffirmed the government’s readiness to accelerate the disbursement of state funds in line with the President’s directive. He said the government has disbursed a total of Rp268 billion in emergency funds to three provinces and 52 regencies and cities affected by the disaster.
“We have accelerated the disbursement of emergency funds as instructed by the President. A total of Rp268 billion has been disbursed to three provinces and 52 regencies and cities. Under the President’s program, Rp4 billion per regency or city and Rp20 billion per province have all been fully disbursed,” Purbaya said.
Baca juga: Disaster relief budget for flood-hit Sumatra sufficient, minister says
He added that the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) submitted a request for additional funding of Rp1.4 trillion on December 18, including Rp650 billion for disaster response in Sumatra. As of now, available contingency funds stand at Rp1.51 trillion.
“There is still Rp1.51 trillion in ready-to-use funds. If the National Disaster Mitigation Agency completes the administrative process today or tomorrow, the funds can be disbursed immediately. The money is available; it just needs to be accelerated,” he said.