The fire disaster that struck Batu Timbau Village in Batu Ampar Subdistrict, East Kutai Regency, has left a profound sadness among local residents. The fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, quickly consumed several houses, particularly those constructed of wood, allowing the blaze to spread rapidly throughout the area. Consequently, more than 120 families were left homeless, losing their possessions. In response to this tragedy, Astra Agro Lestari’s subsidiaries, PT Karyanusa Ekadaya (KED) and PT Subur Abadi Plantations (SAP), acted swiftly to provide assistance to alleviate the burden on the victims. This assistance included both moral and material support. Rasid, Administrator of PT KED, expressed sorrow for the disaster that affected the residents of Batu Timbau Village. “We immediately dispatched aid in the form of clothing and basic necessities to help ease the burden on the fire victims,” he stated.
The aid provided by PT KED and PT SAP, which included clothing donated by employees and food packages, is intended to meet the basic needs of the victims now residing in refugee camps. Village officials and local volunteers fully supported the distribution process of this program. Abdus Syukur, Administrator of PT SAP, added that this social service activity should be efficiently managed by the village and volunteers to ensure that assistance reaches those in need. “We hope this assistance will bring significant benefits and be utilized effectively,” he noted.
The fire disaster caused not only material losses but also deep psychological impacts, especially for children and the elderly who lost their homes. Many families are now displaced and rely on aid for their daily needs. Ahmadsyah, the Batu Ampar Sub-district General Government Section Head, commended the responsiveness of PT KED and PT SAP in providing post-fire assistance. “We thank you for the support provided. May blessings be upon the donors involved,” Ahmadsyah stated.
This assistance is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of PT KED and PT SAP, reinforcing their ongoing commitment to positively contribute to the communities surrounding their operational areas. As a palm oil company operating in this region, PT KED and PT SAP remain dedicated to being present in emergencies and helping those in need. Through collaboration between the company, government, and community, it is hoped that recovery for the victims of the Batu Timbau Village fire will proceed swiftly and effectively. With the contributions from PT KED and PT SAP, it is anticipated that the partnership between the private sector and the community will expedite the post-disaster recovery process and enhance social resilience in the future.
Source: Balikpapan Pos
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