Minister Urges W. Sumatra Gov’t to Complete Data Collection on Quake Victims
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy inspects disaster-affected location of West Sumatra earthquake, Thursday (03/03). (Photo: Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture/Kristian Suryatna)
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has ordered West Sumatera provincial government to immediately speed up updating data on residents affected by the quake that hit the province as the emergency response period for the disaster is set to end on March 10.
“It is necessary for us to immediately collect data on affected residents. This is related to the assistance that will be given to them, including cash assistance,” Muhadjir said after inspecting t disaster-affected locations in West Pasaman and Pasaman in West Sumatra province, Thursday (03/03).
The Minister explained that the affected residents will receive assistance from the Central Government in the form of money, adding that the financial assistance of Rp500,000 per family per month was given during their stay at temporary housing while waiting for the permanent housing to be rebuilt.
“We also need to immediately collect data on infrastructure damage, including public facilities. That way, we hope that on March 10 when the end of the limit for the disaster response stage is complete, these data are final so that we can move on to the next stage of rehabilitation and reconstruction as quickly as possible,” he said.
Muhadjir went on to say that the implementation of the emergency response, starting from searching and helping victims, fulfilling the basic needs of refugees, health, and early recovery had gone well.
Regarding facilities for cleanliness, sanitation, and toilet in evacuation camps which are still not sufficient, he said that he had asked Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing to immediately prepare them.
“Besides, we also have received assistance from other agencies such as the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police, and others. They can provide mobile toilets to support the needs of toilet in evacuation campls. The facilities should be sent immediately. Tonight, a team from Ministry of PUPR will come to collect data on the needs of the toilet because this is very urgent,” he said.
Muhadjir also ordered that basic needs of the affected residents be met properly.
“I also ask for certainties of those supporting facilities. Earlier in some locations, I saw that there was enough and even excess assistance but the distribution is still not well,” he said.
Muhadjir also underscored that in post-disaster situations, it is necessary to ensure that children who are affected continue to receive education, adding that although they are staying in an evacuation camp, the learning process is expected to run smoothly and be well facilitated.
“Later on, the data for children will also be updated, including the condition of their school whether it is heavily or lightly damaged, can it still be used for face-to-face meetings. If it is damaged, a tent will be installed,” he said.
For the record, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 with a depth of 10 kilometers rocked the West Sumatra region on Friday (25/02/2022) with the epicenter of the quake located in Pasaman.
The quake was also felt by five other districts and there are still frequent aftershocks but with a weaker magnitude to date.
Data as of March 20, 2022 at 21.00 WIB shows that as many as 13 people have died, 29 people are seriously injured, 86 people are lightly injured, and 15,553 people are displaced due to the quake.
Meanwhile, 3,094 houses, 29 houses of worship, 33 schools,10 health service facilities, and 5 offices were affected. (PR of Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture/UN) (EST/EP)
