VIVAnews - The government has again cashed out Rp 22 million (US$2.35 million) worth of check for the victims of the West Sumatran earthquake. West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi said the fund will be distributed to cities and regencies.
“Rp 66 million has been cashed out for the victims,” Fauzi said on Monday, October 19 at his office, West Sumatra.
According to him, the fund was distributed to 120,000 houses that are severely damaged. The victims would each receive Rp 5,000.
The financial assistance would only be given to the victims whose houses were knocked down or heavily defected. The government and private parties have also donated 8,000 tons of rice to the victims. Around 5,000 tons of rice will also soon be distributed to the regions.
Currently, the government is focusing on rebuilding 3,100 classrooms that were destroyed by the earthquake. Regarding the termination of emergency responses program after the 7.9-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, September 30, the government is still waiting for the results of the coordination meeting between the Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry.
“Today the decision will be made based on the recommendation from the meeting results,” Fauzi said. Right now, he added, the local government is focusing on preparing educational and healthcare facilities.
The West Sumatran earthquake killed 1,117 people and ruined hundreds of thousands houses and public facilities. According to the data gathered by West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency, the quake has inflicted Rp 2.1 trillion of material losses.
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Coverage by: Eri Naldi l Padang
Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
