"I express my condolences for the victims. I hope their families will remain patient and strong in the face of this disaster," the MPR speaker said.
He noted that he shared the agony of the victims of the floods and landslides. "I hope that all the victims will be served soon and receive humanitarian assistance."
Zulkifli praised the fast action and steps taken by the central and local governments as part of their emergency response and in providing the victims with medical facilities, including establishing temporary public health centers.
The MPR speaker also called on the Indonesian people to hold prayers for the victims and to support the central and local governments in taking post-disaster steps in the affected areas.
"I also call on all sides to help restore the physical and psychological condition of the victims," he said.
Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Parawansa visited the victims of flash floods in Garut, West Java, on Thursday to see their condition for herself.
During the visit, the minister also handed over compensation to the heirs of victims who died in the flash floods that hit Garut district and Sumedang, West Java, on Tuesday evening.
By Wednesday evening, the Garut flash flood death toll had risen to 23, while 27 people had suffered minor injuries and 15 had gone missing.
Public relations officer of the West Java regional police Yusri Yunus said here on Wednesday night that the 23 victims were identified at Guntur Garut Army hospital at 8 pm local time.
The deceased were identified as Nawawi, 65; Lis, 35; Irsyad, 8; Ahmad, 3.5 months; Resal, 4 months; Deni, 23; Siti, 38; Santi, 38; Revina, 7; Nunung, 75; Sari, 25; Jana, 35; Aceng Taryana, 50; Welis, 25; Suryati, 58; Neng Fitriani, 9; Entin Kartini, 62; Diana, 4; Fika, 4; Ny Oom, 82; and Ny Nonoh, 59, as well as an unnamed nine-year-old and four-year-old.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
