Today, we distributed disaster response aid worth Rp50 million for the refugees.
Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA) - State airport operator, the PT Angkasa Pura I office at the Pattimura Airport in Ambon, has extended aid to the victims of a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the capital of Maluku Province last Thursday.

The earthquake response aid was distributed among the victims of the earthquake in the islands of Haruku and Kailolo, which bore the brunt of the natural disaster, General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Office, Amiruddin Florensius, said on Wednesday.

"Today, we distributed disaster response aid worth Rp50 million," he said.

Related news: Red Cross volunteers stationed for evacuation of Ambon quake victims

He said the aid is part of the contribution of PT Angkasa Pura I in Ambon to help alleviate the financial burden of the victims of the earthquake.

"This aid is part of BUMN's (state-owned company) participation in assisting victims of the natural disaster. The aid is in the form of mineral water, instant noodles, canned fish, biscuits and baby pampers," he said.

PT Angkasa Pura I also sent a medical team to provide health services to the victims of the earthquake in the two islands. The medical team began providing health services in cooperation with the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) of Maluku chapter.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake destroyed 171 houses in its path, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

"A total of 59 houses incurred serious damage, 45 houses suffered moderate damage, and 67 houses had incurred light damage," Agus Wibowo, acting chief of the BNPB Data and Information Center and Public Relations, noted in a press statement released on Friday.

The quake was epicentered 40 kilometers (km) northeast of Ambon, at a depth of 10 km beneath the seabed.

The death toll in the quake reached at least 23, while over 100 others were injured.

The BNPB confirmed that some 15 thousand people had fled their homes since the powerful quake hit the city on Thursday. Related news: Jokowi dispatches humanitarian aid to Ambon, Wamena



Translator: Penina Fiolana Mayaut/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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