A bold, urgent effort to reach flood-stricken Aceh: Indonesian police and WWF mount a major airlift to deliver relief.
Indonesia’s National Police, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature, expanded a joint airlift on Saturday to bring dozens of tonnes of aid to communities devastated by floods and landslides across Aceh and surrounding areas. The relief supplies, mostly food and essential items, departed from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport through cooperation with WWF Indonesia and the Forestry Ministry.
The cargo was flown by Rimbun Air to Iskandar Muda Airport in Banda Aceh, with the local airport police unit serving as a hub for public updates and information. Police officials noted that the mission has already moved roughly 160 tonnes of logistics on nine flights, supported by several cargo operators. Police spokesman Ronald Sipayung thanked airlines and donors for helping millions affected by the disaster and urged the public to report any delivery issues through the police emergency call center.
WWF Indonesia described Saturday’s shipment as its first, totaling 22.5 tonnes, and credited police, airlines, and community groups for enabling rapid delivery to affected areas. Additional aid has also flowed from state-owned banks. Flooding and landslides have impacted Aceh as well as parts of North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
Bank Syariah Indonesia, along with its charity arm, contributed 78.7 tonnes of aid valued at 12 billion rupiah. The assistance included ready meals, medicines, hygiene kits, clothing, boats, and communications equipment. Much of the support was directed to Aceh, with satellite phones and Starlink internet helping local coordination, and public kitchens and health posts operating in Langsa, Bireuen, and Kuala Simpang.
The public kitchens have been active since December 6, distributing about 2,000 meal packages daily to residents in Langsa, Tamiang, and Kuala Simpang, chosen for access to clean water and vital infrastructure. Bank Mandiri has delivered 68,000 aid packages across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, including food, water, bedding, and hygiene supplies for those displaced.
Mandiri’s Disaster Response program has mobilized volunteers to work with local authorities and security forces to support evacuations, logistics, and recovery, prioritizing a quick return to normal social and economic activity for affected communities.
Related coverage highlights ongoing government efforts to ensure adequate stocks of food and medicine in disaster-hit regions, as well as additional aid packages sent to Sumatra by other agencies.
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