Gov’t to Disburse Rp1.9 Trillion in Grants for Palu Quake Victims

Vice President Jusuf Kalla and BNPB Head Doni Monardo review the construction progress of permanent shelters for quake victims in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Monday (7/10). (Photo by: BNPB PR)

The Government has announced it will disburse a total of Rp1.9 trillion in grants for residents whose houses were devastated by the tsunami and liquefaction that hit several areas in eastern Indonesian province of Central Sulawesi in September last year.

The grants will be distributed through four local governments in the province.

The four local governments in question include Palu City which will receive funds amounting to Rp820.6 billion, Sigi Regency amounting to Rp568.6 billion, Donggala Regency and Parigi Moutong Regency amounting to Rp516.7 billion and Rp 66 billion respectively.

“For those whose houses with severe, moderate, and light damages, they will receive Rp50 million, Rp25 million, and Rp10 million respectively,” said the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (8/10).

Doni went on to say that the funds are expected to be transferred into the regional cash account within 7 working days, adding that the funds will be transferred into individual accounts to those affected.

As for the relocation program, a total of 11,643 housing units will be rebuilt, comprising 8,788 units will be carried out by Ministry of Public Work and Public Housing, 75 housing units by the AHA Center, 100 housing units by the Mayapada Foundation, and 2,500 housing units by the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation.

Nevertheless, Doni acknowledged that the Government is still encountering a few problems including land provision, adding that during his recent visit to Palu on Monday (7/10), Vice President Jusuf Kalla called for immediate solutions to the land issue.

“So, the shortage of lands around 15 hectares can be resolved,” Doni said, adding that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) will join forces in post-quake relief efforts.

In the meantime, the Government has also received foreign grant assistance of 4,522 housing units, which has been underway for three months. As many as 3,000 housing units are in the construction process, 60 of which have already been completed. (DND/ES)

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas