"We are still traumatized, (worried if) an aftershock were to occur, and we cannot go back home because our houses are uninhabitable," 52-year-old evacuee, Yati, stated in Simpang Empat, West Sumatra, on Monday.
On Monday, the evacuees and children were still staying or playing around the shelter tents. Some of them were engaging in gymnastics as a recovery effort from trauma.
Another evacuee, Silam, from Simpang Timbo Abu Village, said he fled to the evacuation site located in front of the district head office over fears of other aftershocks and landslides.
"We are from the foot of Mount Talamau and the tremors were really felt and landslides also occurred there," Silam stated.
Related news: BMKG denies 7.5 magnitude earthquake will strike West Pasaman
Meanwhile, the West Pasaman administration has continued to receive assistance at the disaster post from various parties. It also distributes social aid to residents affected by the earthquake, either directly or through evacuation posts spread across the sub-districts of Talamau and Kinali in West Pasaman.
"We will continue to meet the evacuees' needs through the appointed teams," West Pasaman District Head Hamsuardi pointed out.
According to data on Monday, the quake had damaged some parts of the main road, bridges, and pipes of drinking water and irrigation. Furthermore, at least 15 places of worship and five schools in Talamau and Kinali were impacted by the disaster.
At least 10,700 West Pasaman residents took shelter at seven posts readied by the West Pasaman administration comprising 1,500 evacuees in Jorong Timba Abu, 1,500 in Jorong Mudik Simpang, 2,500 in the Limpato field, two thousand in the Kampung Tengah field, 500 in Sukamenanti field, and 2,800 at the District Head Office yard.
Related news: Six thousand residents evacuate after earthquake in West Pasaman: BNPB
Related news: Pasaman earthquake: Trauma healing team dispatched to help victims
Translator: Altas M, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
