Jakarta ( WNAM MONITORING): North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution said Saturday that 30 tons of rice donated by a humanitarian organization from the United Arab Emirates will be distributed to flood victims through Indonesia’s Islamic organization Muhammadiyah.
“This is not government-to-government assistance. The aid comes from a non-governmental organization,” Nasution said.
He explained that because the assistance did not originate from a foreign government, the Medan city administration decided to entrust its distribution to Muhammadiyah, citing the group’s extensive grassroots network and long experience in humanitarian and disaster-response operations.
Nasution also confirmed that the aid would not be returned to its country of origin, addressing earlier public confusion over its status.
“It will not be sent back. Because this assistance is from an NGO, it is being handed over to an Indonesian NGO, namely Muhammadiyah, which will distribute it directly to affected residents,” he said.
Muhammadiyah Chairman Haedar Nashir welcomed the trust placed in his organization by the North Sumatra provincial government and humanitarian partners from the United Arab Emirates.
He said Muhammadiyah remains committed to assisting communities affected by disasters across Indonesia, regardless of whether an emergency has been formally declared.
