Jakarta, March 16 -- The Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with its local offices, has erected several public kitchens to cater to the needs of residents affected by torrential rain-triggered floods in Semarang City, Central Java Province.

"The government has built four public kitchens in total. We will also assist several public kitchens erected by locals by supplying essential needs," the ministry's Secretary-General, Robben Rico, noted in a statement released by his office here on Saturday.

Rico spoke of having visited flood victims in several areas, refugee camps, and aid posts of the Social Affairs Ministry on Friday (March 15).

Accompanied by a team, Rico toured the flood-hit areas to distribute assistance to residents...