January 3, 2026 | 09:44 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Director of state logistics agency Bulog, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, has instructed all regional and branch leaders to prepare emergency stocks of 50 tons of rice at every airport and port in disaster-prone areas of Sumatra. He expects this response to quickly meet food needs in regions hit by the recent disasters.
"I order a minimum of 20 tons and up to 50 tons of emergency rice stock to be available every day. When needed, we can fly this rice directly to areas in need," Rizal said in Jakarta on Friday, January 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
The standby stock is positioned to anticipate disruptions in land access due to floods in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra. By placing supplies at transit hubs, Bulog ensures that air and sea distribution can continue without delay even when roads are submerged or blocked.
Similar instructions apply to port areas. By preparing standby stocks of 20 to 50 tons at the docks, Bulog ensures fast sea delivery for sudden contingency needs. These efforts are coordinated closely with local government agencies to streamline the distribution process.
Bulog is also keeping its state-owned food warehouses open 24 hours a day to speed up rice aid for disaster victims across Sumatra. "In an emergency, we can immediately push for distribution. Our 24-hour warehouses are ready to assist those affected," Rizal said, emphasizing the agency's commitment to round-the-clock service.
Furthermore, Rizal stated that the policy of keeping standby rice at airports and ports will remain in place until all disaster-affected areas recover and normal activities resume. Bulog will continuously evaluate the stock levels based on field dynamics to ensure food assistance remains timely and reaches the right targets.
Previously, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian stated that disaster-affected areas in Sumatra could access Bulog’s rice reserves without limit. The only requirement is an official request from regional leaders. He made this statement during a meeting with the regional leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda) in Aceh Tamiang on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Tito claimed that the national rice reserve remains very strong. He assured local authorities that they could tap into these reserves as much as needed to handle the crisis. This policy ensures that regional leaders have the resources necessary to prevent food shortages during the recovery phase.
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