PPA Deploys its ERT to Help Victims of the East Kalimantan Flood Emergency

PPA deployed its ERT on a humanitarian mission: the flood emergency now under way in Mahakam Ulu/West Kutai Regency, ongoing since 15 May 2024.

The flooding, 3–5m deep, was caused by moderate to heavy rain the same day between 07:30 and 18:00 WITA, which made the Mahakam River overflow and pour into the villages with great force.

A total of 28 villages across 5 districts were recorded as affected, along with public facilities such as regional government offices, schools, banks and places of worship, and the PLN network, which went down completely after the PLN engine was submerged. Even so, there were no landslides or fallen trees. The flood emergency status was set for 14–27 May 2024 by the Regent of Mahakam Ulu, Bonifasius Belawan Geh, through a Regent's Decree.

The PPA ERT worked together with ESDM Siaga Bencana, BNPB, BPBD, Basarnas, TRC and Tagana. The team sent 1 leader, 2 rescuers and 2 medics. The team evacuated flood victims, provided trauma healing for affected children, distributed urgently needed aid, set up a health post and joined the rehabilitation work.

The Regent and Deputy Regent of West Kutai, F. X. Yapan and Edyanto Arkan, together with several other regional officials, visited the PPA ERT post to symbolically hand over aid from ESDM Siaga Bencana, and to monitor and ensure the relief work ran smoothly.

"Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada Tim ESDM Siaga Bencana yang sudah sangat peduli atas bencana banjir yang terjadi di Kabupaten kutai Barat. Apresiasi kami sampaikan kepada PPA dan seluruh perusahaan yang terlibat dan telah mengirimkan bantuan ke daerah kami," said West Kutai Regent F.X Yapan.