Jakarta, March 5 -- The Ministry of Social Affairs has begun distributing several types of adaptive disaster social assistance funds totaling Rp878.6 billion (US$50,4 million) to victims of flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf on Thursday stated that the aid distribution is currently underway, involving PT Pos Indonesia officers across the three provinces.

"As of Thursday afternoon, the first phase has reached approximately 17,000 beneficiaries of the total adaptive assistance target," he informed.

He explained that the aid consists of Housing Furnishing Assistance (BIH) worth Rp3 million (US$172) and Socioeconomic Stimulus Assistance (BSSE) worth Rp5 million (US$...