"It is being discussed," Vice President Kalla stated after attending the DPD RI Anniversary in Parliament Senayan here on Monday.
In the meantime, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho informed of the planned acceptance of international assistance for the recovery of Palu and its surroundings.
"I have just met with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in New York, and she said that the president has stated to accept international assistance according to our needs. This means we are `welcome` with international offers," Nugroho noted in a text message received in Jakarta on Monday afternoon.
The mechanism for receiving international assistance is under the coordination of Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Wiranto, who is currently holding discussions on this matter.
"Mechanisms and procedures are being prepared by BNPB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the existing regulations, and coordination will later be established with the coordinating minister for politics, law, and security affairs," Nugroho noted.
He noted that the acceptance of international assistance did not have to wait for the determination of the national disaster status by the government. Thus, assistance from foreign countries can still be accepted with emergency response status as at present.
In the meantime, the Team of Quick Action (ACT) stated here on Monday that the death toll in Friday`s Donggala-Palu earthquake and tsunami had risen to 1,203.
"The number of dead has reached 1,203 at several spots. The largest was in Petobo, which was swept and leveled to the ground by the tsunami," Vice President of ACT Insan Nurrohman stated.
A total of 700 bodies were recorded in Kelurahan Petobo, 10 at Wirabuana Hospital, 201 at Undata Hospital, 50 in Mesjid Raya Mosque, 161 at Bhayangkara Hospital, 35 at the Tawaeli sub-district, two in the village of Kayumalue Pajeko, five in the village of Kawatuna, seven in Pos Pol PP, and 32 at the Madani hospital.
Nurrohman noted that the death toll is feared to rise, as there were still many missing, including 61 foreign nationals, and 540 seriously injured being treated at several hospitals.
Reporting by Fransiska Ninditya
Editing by Otniel Tamindael
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
