Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Friday visited the locations affected by the earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, early this week and handed over social assistance to refugees.
“On behalf of myself and the ranks of the Ministry of Transportation, I express my deep condolences for the earthquake victims in Cianjur. Hopefully, the victims receive the best place by His side, and the families left behind are given fortitude,” he remarked.
Sumadi informed that he has instructed the concerned parties to repair traffic and transportation facilities damaged by the earthquake.
During his visit, he also reviewed a number of emergency tent facilities set up by the Ministry of Transportation in earthquake-affected locations.
The ministry has provided several facilities to accommodate refugees’ needs, including a 24-hour standby post at the Weigh Bridge Office (UPPKB Bojong), which is functioning as a refugee camp, logistical assistance distribution center for free medicines, and providing health checks, in collaboration with Jasa Raharja.
Further, the ministry has also set up a camp at the Cianjur District Office as a temporary evacuation site, the minister disclosed.
The post and the camp have been equipped with a number of facilities such as generators, emergency lights, gas stoves, gas cylinders, portable toilets, and fuel.
The Ministry of Transportation has sent nine medical personnel to help check the health of the victims affected by the earthquake.
Furthermore, the ministry has handed over a number of aids in the form of ready-to-eat food, instant noodles, drinks, sugar, tea, coffee, clothing, diapers, sanitary napkins, blankets, pillows, folding mattresses, mats, tarpaulins, medicines, and vitamins to the refugees.
“As stated by President Joko Widodo, all ministries/institutions must work together to deal with natural disasters. We will show that Indonesia is a strong nation with mutual cooperation, and believe that we can face and get through this disaster together,” Sumadi remarked.
He said he hoped that the evacuation process would run smoothly and the victims who have not been found would be located safe and sound.
According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck at 1:21 p.m. local time on November 21, 2022. It was centered 10 kilometers southwest of Cianjur district at a depth of 10 km. It did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami.
On Thursday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) announced that the earthquake killed 272 people. While the identities of 165 victims have been verified, those of 107 have yet to be confirmed.
Source: Antara News