TEMPO.CO, Pontianak - Following her visit to flood victims in Sekadau District, West Kalimantan Province, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini said she has assigned her staffers to remain in the flood-affected areas to assist those in need.

"If public kitchens are still needed and so on, later, my staff will be here (Sekadau), in Sanggau, Sintang, and Melawi. They are stationed in these places," she said on Wednesday.

She reminded that the possibility of water levels increasing further must be anticipated so that there are no casualties.

The minister also stressed the importance of anticipatory efforts so that next year flooding does not recur, saying she will coordinate this with the House of Representatives and Public Housing and Public Works Ministry.

"We will make sure the logistical needs have been prepared to help the flood victims," she informed.

She pointed out that Tagana (emergency alert team's) boats had been prepared to deliver food to refugees. "If later we need a public kitchen, then we will deliver the food by boats," she said.

Rismaharini, Chairman of the House of Representatives' (DPR's) Commission V Lasarus, and their entourage traveled from the Kusuma Negara Palace pier along the Sekadau River and Kapuas River to meet residents affected by floods in Tanjung and Mungguk Villages, Sekadau Hilir Sub-district.

The minister also distributed aid, ranging from basic necessities to equipment.

Tri Rismaharini and her entourage returned to the Kusuma Negara Palace after allocating the aid. She said that her administration provided assistance so that refugees can survive in the midst of flooding, with floodwaters not receding for two weeks.

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ANTARA