TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations has stated its readiness to provide the necessary assistance in response to the recent disasters that have struck several regions in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres previously expressed deep sorrow over the floods and landslides that have affected four countries, namely Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.
In a press release received by Tempo on Tuesday, December 2, Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said, "The United Nations is in close contact with authorities in all four countries and stands ready to support relief and response efforts. UN Country Teams remain at the disposal of Governments to provide necessary assistance."
Palace: Government Yet to Need Foreign Aid
The Indonesian government has not yet opened channels for other countries to provide financial assistance for handling the extensive disaster in Sumatra. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government retains the capability to manage the full scope of the disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
"We believe that the government can still manage our own problems," Prasetyo said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Prasetyo noted that while many countries have expressed concern and offered assistance, the government is adequately resourced. He cited sufficient national stocks of food and fuel.
To cope with the logistical challenges, the government is utilizing "unconventional" methods, Prasetyo explained. "We are trying to perform aerial dropping because it is tailored to the conditions of the disaster in the field."
Prasetyo claimed that the ready-to-use budget allocation in the State Budget (APBN) is sufficient to fund the current disaster management efforts, with Rp500 billion allocated for this year.
Malaysia Sends Medical Assistance to Aceh
Nevertheless, the Aceh Hydrometeorology Disaster Response Post previously announced that a large-scale medical assistance from Malaysia had arrived in Aceh through Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport in Blangbintang, Aceh Besar Regency.
Information received at the Disaster Response Post in Banda Aceh last Sunday, as reported by Antara, mentioned that the large-scale medical aid from Malaysia arrived on Saturday at 07:00 p.m. local time.
The aid includes two tons of medicine and health equipment, totaling two million pieces. The aid was transported by a special cargo plane from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Gomez Medical Services and the humanitarian team from Blue Sky Rescue Malaysia facilitated the delivery of medicines and medical equipment.
The Hydro-meteorological Disaster Response Post in Aceh stated that this aid is the first international medical shipment to enter Aceh after Cyclone Senyar, which caused severe damage in various areas of Aceh since November 22, 2025.
Free Starlink for Indonesia, Elon Musk: It's Unethical to Profit from a Disaster
On the other hand, American business mogul Elon Musk announced free Starlink internet access for the flood- and landslide-affected residents of parts of Sumatra in Indonesia.
The announcement was delivered through Starlink’s official X account, stating:
“For those affected by the severe flooding in Indonesia, Starlink is providing free service to new and existing customers through the end of December. We’re also working with the Indonesian government to rapidly deploy terminals and restore connectivity to the hardest-hit areas on Sumatra.”
The post also directed readers to a follow-up link to Starlink’s official webpage.
According to the official statement, the emergency relief measure is available to new, active, and even currently suspended or paused customers, and the free access will remain in place through December 2025.
"SpaceX standard policy is to make Starlink free whenever there is a natural disaster somewhere in the world," wrote Elon Musk on X, quote-posting the Starlink announcement.
"It would not be right to profit from misfortune," he added.
Hendrik Yaputra, Sita Planasari, Adinda Jasmine, and Fayrisya Maliha Riyawati Soehadi Putri contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Elon Musk Offers Free Starlink Internet to Support Sumatra Flood Victims
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