Villagers, whose houses got destroyed by the recent landslide or remain vulnerable to the future catastrophe, can use the shelters as their temporary homesSukajaya, W Java (ANTARA) - The 315 Garuda Infantry Battalion personnel, Wednesday, began constructing 15 temporary shelters using bamboo poles for residents of Cileuksa Village, Sukajaya Sub-district, Bogor District, West Java, who remain isolated following a landslide on January 1.
The army personnel received assistance from the villagers to build the shelters, Commander of the 0621/Bogor District Military Command Lt Col Harry Eko Sutrisno told journalists here on Wednesday.
Villagers, whose houses got destroyed by the recent landslide or remain vulnerable to the future catastrophe, can use the shelters as their temporary homes, he explained.
Nine members of the 315 Garuda Infantry Battalion were able to reach the isolated village after walking for three hours from an area where they had parked their vehicle inside the area of Lebak District, Banten Province.
Cileuksa Village belongs to West Java Province, but it directly shares border with Lebak District in Banten Province. As of Wednesday, the main road access from Lebak District to the village remained crippled by the landslide. Hence, those looking to go to Cileuksa Village should walk, he stated.
Apart from Cileuksa, two other villages of Urug and Kiarasari in Sukajaya Sub-district, Bogor District, also remained isolated due to the recent landslide.
On Tuesday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had paid a visit to Harkat Jaya Village in Sukajaya Sub-district to meet those afflicted by the recent landslide and handed over Rp100 million in cash and staple food packages.
"Please, take care of all those affected by the disaster, including those who lost their lives," Harkat Jaya Village Head Soleh quoted the message that President Jokowi delivered to him while handing over the relief fund to him during his visit to the village area.
The money and relief aid packages will be distributed to the Harkat Jaya villagers affected by the landslide, especially the families, who lost their near and dear ones to the catastrophe, he remarked.
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In a bid to help villagers whose houses were destroyed or prone to the threats of landslides in future, President Jokowi had urged him to coordinate with Bogor District Head Ade Yasin to relocate them to a safer area.
The president and his entourage boarded a car to visit the village. During his visit, Jokowi observed the landslide-affected areas, including a road section connecting Pasir Matang to Cisarua Villages.
Owing to the landslide that struck the village on January 1, over four thousand villagers sought refuge in safer places. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded that 776 buildings had incurred damage. Related news: Destroyed school buildings extend Lebak's students' stay at home
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: M Fikri S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
