A Series of TNI-Polri Strategies to Prevent Damage to Airdrop Aid

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) are evaluating airdrops of aid to survivors of the natural disaster in Sumatra after some aid was reportedly damaged after being dropped from the air. The government apologized for any shortcomings in flood and landslide response efforts. The government continues to mobilize all resources to assist.

The damage to several aid supplies after being dropped from helicopters or planes was captured by disaster survivors in various areas affected by the disaster in Sumatra. Reports of the damage to the aid were uploaded on several social media platforms and became a focal point of attention for netizens.

The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto, in a press conference at the National Disaster Management Post in Sumatra, at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Wednesday (3/12/2025), stated that the distribution of aid by air had to be undertaken due to the numerous areas that were isolated as a result of flooding and landslides. Although the aid is being dropped from the air, his team continues to strive to ensure that each aid package remains intact upon reaching the ground.

Several measures have been taken to maintain the integrity of the aid. For example, aid boxes are equipped with propellers. Additionally, there are also aids fitted with parachutes similar to those used by soldiers when jumping from aircraft.

He also stated that the safety of personnel and main weapon system equipment (alutsista) is a primary consideration in disaster management. He recalled an incident where three TNI soldiers lost their lives in Padang, West Sumatra while assisting in disaster response. There was also an incident when a helicopter could not land due to hazardous cables.

"When the helicopter was about to land yesterday, there was a cable there, which the pilot needed, so the item was still dropped, even though some rice might have been scattered," he explained.

The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General Maruli Simanjuntak, who was also present at the press conference, added that helicopters carrying aid often face difficulties landing due to inadequate runways. Therefore, assistance has to be dropped from the air.

However, after receiving reports of damaged aid, they immediately evaluated the deployment of assistance via air. "After there was a breakage, we reassessed, and we continue to strive to ensure that it does not happen again," he added.

Not only from the TNI, but the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo also evaluated the reduction of air assistance. Similar to the TNI, personnel from the National Police are also distributing aid via air.

From the evaluation results, said Listyo, each aid is then decided to be packaged first before being delivered. In addition, the altitude of the helicopter is also lowered. "An evaluation was conducted by providing sealing or then wrapping it more securely, and we adjust the altitude so that the logistics delivered via air drop remain intact," he said.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, who was also present at the press conference, expressed the government's apologies if there are still shortcomings in the efforts to address the floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. These shortcomings are continuously being addressed. As instructed by President Prabowo Subianto, the government will continue to deploy all resources to expedite post-disaster management and respond to the needs of the community, particularly the disaster survivors.

On the same occasion, Pratikno also explained the issue of the looting of the Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouse that occurred in Sibolga City, North Sumatra. He stated that he witnessed the incident himself.

"I happened to witness firsthand when there was a crowd in front of the Bulog Warehouse in Sibolga. Then, the community gathered to distribute 5 kilograms of rice. So, in such a situation, the government is trying to alleviate the burden on the community. Because the community needs it, at that time, each person was given one. What does this mean? What actually happened at that time in Sibolga was that the distribution of aid could proceed smoothly," he stated.

Regarding the looting at the Sibolga minimarket, Listyo explained that the perpetrators of the looting have been released. "There is information about the looting, and as of now, there are no longer any individuals in custody; we have released everyone," said Listyo.

According to him, the police understand that the community is forced to do so due to food needs. "At that time, they only needed food logistics; now everything has been released," he said.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, has ensured that the rice reserves in the three provinces affected by the disaster are still sufficient. The assurance of rice stock from Bulog has led the local governments, which initially planned to request assistance from other regions, to reconsider their intentions.

"Therefore, it is actually not necessary to obtain rice from elsewhere. This is sufficient for nine months, so eventually they can release what is called disaster rice, which can be distributed unlimitedly as long as there is a request letter from the regional head and then to the Head of the National Food Agency, Mr. Minister of Agriculture Mr. Amran, and after that, it will be executed by Bulog," he said.

Tito also reaffirmed that the mechanism for requesting assistance has been simplified to expedite distribution. The regional heads affected by the disaster only need to send a letter in the form of a digital document to the Head of the National Food Agency, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, before it is followed up by Bulog.

"Colleagues, the regional heads of areas affected by the disaster, please check the condition of the reserves in the Bulog warehouse. If there are any, just write a letter to the Head of the National Food Agency, Mr. Amran, via WhatsApp, or you can also send it through me, and I will forward it to Mr. Amran. After that, it will go directly to Bulog, and Bulog will execute it immediately," Tito stated.

In addition to rice, Tito stated that the supply of cooking oil is also sufficient. Similarly, regarding fuel needs. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, along with Pertamina and SKK Migas, has conducted mapping to expedite deliveries to areas in need.

"Mr. Bahlil is working together with Pertamina, SKK Migas, and all parties involved to map out the underserved areas and promptly provide supplies, as these isolated regions, in particular, are in dire need, both for generators and for vehicles," he stated.