December 19, 2025 | 01:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, stated that Indonesia is considering aid from two United Nations agencies, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), for the Aceh Provincial Government. These two agencies are likely to provide counseling assistance for women and children affected by disasters in Aceh.
"Most likely, if not implemented in the status of a national disaster, is counseling, especially for children and women," he said in a press conference for the Sumatra disaster response at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, East Jakarta, on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Tito admitted that he did not yet know the type of counseling that would be provided. He is still discussing it with UNDP and UNICEF.
"This is what we will discuss in terms of what form the counseling will take, how much, and to what extent. That is what we will consider," he said.
Tito admitted to having read a letter from Governor Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, requesting assistance from the two UN agencies. However, he stated that Muzakir was unaware of the letter.
"So, the staff who delivered the letter. We checked, and it seems that it was the Aceh regional secretary who sent it due to an offer," he said.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently in close communication with the Aceh government, UNDP, and UNICEF to discuss aid.
Previously, Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf claimed to be unaware of the letter requesting assistance from the Aceh Provincial Government, which was sent to two UN agencies. Instead, he stated that the letter requesting disaster mitigation assistance was sent to non-governmental organizations, or NGOs.
"I don't know anything, actually, it's a mistake, it's not to the UN, it's to the NGOs in Aceh," said Mualem, Muzakir's nickname, in Banda Aceh, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as quoted by Antara after receiving aid from Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf.
The UNDP is an agency that focuses on national development, including the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality. Meanwhile, UNICEF focuses on child welfare.
The spokesperson for the Aceh government, Muhammad MTA, explained that the Aceh Provincial Government wrote to the UNDP and UNICEF because these two agencies are known for their focus on disaster relief, particularly given their experience assisting with the 2004 tsunami. The local government hopes to receive support for the current situation.
"We hope they still have programs, especially post-disaster recovery, to be able to communicate with the Indonesian government," said Muhammad.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to this article
Read: UN Monitors Sumatra Disaster, Supports Recovery Efforts
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