Lower Thirds: 

0:03	Report by | Georg Matthes
0:32	Farris Ichsan | Helicopter pilot
1:12	Djamari Chaniago | Minister for Political and Security Affairs
1:52	Georg Matthes / Dw Correspondent

Script: 

Approaching the disaster zone in northern Sumatra... I’m on board an aid helicopter delivering food to isolated villages. Once we land, these packages will be distributed by motorbike. Authorities say the situation is bad but Indonesia has not declared a national emergency. 

Georg: Do you think it would help if Singapore or other countries joined the effort? 
 
Farris Ichsan, BNPB Pilot (ENG): 
“Yes I think that can help because today and tomorrow we need many helicopters because many areas have big floods and others.” 
 
The scale of destruction is massive. Supply chains across northern Sumatra have collapsed – raising fears of food shortages and hunger. The weather forecast is grim — but Indonesian officials, including the minister of political and security affairs who visited affected villages in north Sumatra on Friday -- insist everything is under control. 
 
+++ Sot Djamari Chaniago – Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs 
“We haven’t found any area that is completely inaccessible. Yes, the way we reach them is by airdropping food and other supplies, and soon, hopefully, all routes will open.” 
 
We reach the port town of Sibolga – in 15 minutes. A trip that would have taken a full day by road from the airport. This region has always been vulnerable to natural disasters, but not on this scale. Many here suspect decades of excessive deforestation has compounded the devastation  

PTC Georg:  
“Flying over this part of northern Sumatra, it’s really hard to tell what’s more shocking the destruction and the many landslides or the level of deforestation one can observe”. 
 
Investigations into the causes of the disaster are already underway but for now, the priority is helping the victims. And there are thousands. Emergency crews say it could take weeks before they will be able to assess the true extent of the disaster.