State-run oil and gas corporation PT Pertamina (Persero) has provided 12 tons of rice to public kitchens set up to help the victims of the recent 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Cianjur District, West Java Province.

“The assistance was given to fulfill the demand in the public kitchens built by Kopassus (Indonesian Army’s Special Forces) at the earthquake-affected location,” acting director of corporate communications at Pertamina, Heppy Wulansari, informed in a statement received on Thursday.

She said that the company has also distributed 500 liters of cooking oil, 250 kilograms of eggs, 318 boxes of mineral water, 260 boxes of instant noodles, and 357 boxes of biscuits.

It has also provided 300 packages of toiletries, 240 pieces of tarpaulin measuring 6 x 9 meters each, 130 floor mattresses, 155 blankets, 130 baby diapers, 80 pieces of baby cloth, and 80 packs of sanitary napkins.

“All of the assistance has been handed over to the earthquake-affected communities through the Cianjur District Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and the BUMN (State-Owned Enterprises/SOEs) Disaster Task Force Post starting Tuesday (November 22, 2022),” the official informed.

She said she expected the assistance to be useful to the victims.

“We will continue to add more assistance until it is sufficient,” Wulansari said.

Pertamina has also dispatched several ambulance units as well as medical teams to treat the survivors of the earthquake. The Pertamina Care team has also built tents for refugees.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the earthquake, which rattled Cianjur District at 1.21 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on Monday (November 21), has claimed 272 lives as of Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, 39 people are still missing in Cijedil Village, Cugenang Sub-district, Cianjur District.

Source: Antara News