Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, has assured that village funds can be used during emergencies, such as disasters.This was conveyed by the minister during a visit to an evacuation center for disaster victims in Lembur Sawah village, Pabuaran sub-district, Sukabumi, West Java, on Monday, according to a statement received here.
He affirmed that the use of village funds for emergencies would not violate regulations, even though it is not specified in the Village Minister's Regulation on Priorities for Village Funds Utilization in 2025.
Susanto has allowed the relevant village heads to utilize village funds to provide first aid during disasters. He said he does not want the absence of regulations to hinder the utilization of funds that can be disbursed to ease people's burden.
Seven villages in Pabuaran sub-district are known to be in disaster-prone locations, so land relocation and provision of permanent housing for residents must be carried out.
Therefore, the minister has contacted several related parties such as National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Suharyanto and Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf to ensure smooth land relocation, prevent conflicts in the process, and meet the basic needs of all affected residents.
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During the visit on Monday, Susanto and Deputy Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Ahmad Riza Patria, handed over 1,300 staple goods packages to 297 families affected by landslides.
He also monitored the condition of tents as well as public kitchens, in addition to interacting directly with evacuees.
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He assured that he will consistently monitor the relocation process and asked evacuees to be patient and stay strong amid the disaster, adding that the government will make disaster handling in those areas a priority.
