...the local government will focus on economic revival after the emergency response period (ends).
Cianjur, W Java (ANTARA) - The Cianjur district government is planning to provide aid to youngsters for developing their entrepreneurship skills and disburse daily needs assistance for the elderly to expedite the recovery of the earthquake-struck region.

Cianjur district head Herman Suherman said here on Wednesday that the local government will help the elderly receive assistance under the Social Affairs Ministry’s Family Hope Program (PKH), thus their needs would be guaranteed by the government.

Furthermore, his administration will provide business training and capital to young people from the productive age, based on their expertise, on establishing their own micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which can create superior products.

The effort is in accordance with the Cianjur district government's target of developing 10 thousand MSMEs.

"We will provide expertise and skills training, thus young people can develop their talents and skills. In addition, we will assist (them) regarding the (business) capital, thus the earthquake survivors’ can revive their economic condition,” the district head said.

Furthermore, he noted that the 5.6-magnitude earthquake, which rattled the district on Monday (November 21, 2022), caused Rp4 trillion in losses as the disaster damaged 58 thousand houses and claimed the lives of more than 600 people.

"It is roughly estimated that the number of losses reaches around Rp4 trillion, since not only tens of thousands of houses were damaged, but also hundreds of schools, dozens of offices, some roads, as well as several bridges," he added.

Hence, to rebuild houses, repair damaged houses, and restore the people’s economy, the central government has provided Rp6 trillion in assistance.

“We will be fully supported by the central government until recovery (process is completed), meanwhile, the local government will focus on economic revival after the emergency response period (ends),” Suherman informed.

He added that Rp3 trillion of the total assistance from the central government was used to rebuild the residents’ houses.

As per the government 26,586 houses experienced light damage, 16,059 houses suffered moderate damage, and 13,633 houses were heavily damaged in the quake.

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Translator: Ahmad Fikri, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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