Gov’t Conducts Emergency Response Efforts Following Cianjur Quake

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto, and Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati deliver a joint press statement on the acceleration of post-earthquake handling on Cianjur regency, at Cianjur Regent’s office, West Java, Tuesday (11/22). (Photo by: BNPB/M Arfari Dwiatmodjo Disaster Communication)

Following a 5.6-magnitude earthquake that jolted Cianjur regency in West Java, the Government has announced it will continuously collect data to provide house renovation assistance for residents affected by the quake.

Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto made the statement in a joint press statement with Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati, at Cianjur Regent’s office, West Java, Tuesday (11/22).

“The Government will carry out reconstruction of severely damaged houses. Once the emergency response is done. We will enter the rehabilitation and reconstruction stage. After that, we will rebuild houses affected by the quake,” Suharyanto said.

Suharyanto went on to say that the Government will also provide full support for the rehabilitation and construction of other supporting infrastructure.

“Relevant ministries will help rebuild other damaged facilities such as educational facilities, mosques, and madrasah (Islamic schools),” he said.

On that occasion, Head of the BNPB revealed that the agency has provided a helicopter and ready-to-use funds of Rp1.5 billion and logistics assistance worth Rp500 million to speed up disaster management.

“For isolated villages, we have prepared a helicopter for logistics distribution,” he added.

In addition, the BNPB also opened a call center that the public can use to obtain information related to the handling of the Cianjur quake.

“Those who look for information regarding the condition of their families who were affected by the earthquake can contact BNPB’s call center 117 and will be connected to the handling post in Cianjur. All information will come from the post,” he remarked.

Apart from inspecting the handling post, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and his entourage will also inspect the current condition of roads that were buried by landslides in Cigenang, the Cianjur Regional General Hospital (RSUD), and other affected areas. (PR of BNPB/UN) (RIF/EP)