Jakarta, (ANTARA News)- The Home Affairs Ministry will set up public service command posts in Palu, Central Sulawesi, as the provincial administration has been affected by a magnitude-7.4 earthquake and a subsequent tsunami that struck on Sept 28, 2018.

"Next week, the Home Affairs Ministry`s teams comprising among other things population and civil registration, regional finance, regional autonomy, and public order enforcers, will open administration command posts to support the Central Sulawesi administration," Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said in a statement, here, Monday.

The command post is necessary to assist the Central Sulawesi government, and district as well as municipal administrations in the province which has been declared in an emergency situation following the natural disasters.

The first post will be set up in Palu, and later in Sigi and Donggala when the situation allows.

"This is to help the local administration which is grieving, and to make sure that the government principle and public services keep running. The Home Affairs Ministry`s teams will be self-reliant and bring our own tents and other necessities, as well as logistics, food and beverages," he said.

The move is in line with an instruction of President Jokowi who has ordered all concerned ministries and institutions to support and help the people of Palu and other affected regions.

A team of the ministry`s public service officers will leave for Palu on Oct 2, 2018, to provide maximum services to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami, according to the minister.

A notice board at the official residence of Central Sulawesi governor Longki Djanggola showed at least 668 people were killed in the quake and tsunami.

A total of 632 people were wounded, 29 still unaccounted for and 31,230 evacuees stayed in shelters. Thousands of buildings and roads were damaged or destroyed.

Reporting by Fransiska Ninditya
Editing by Fardah

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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