In a statement released in Jakarta on Thursday, Head of BNPB Military Lieutenant General Suharyanto noted that the Yahukimo government had declared a disaster emergency response status for October 21 until November 1, 2023.
"The Yahukimo district government has declared an emergency response status, thereby urging the BNPB to intervene by providing assistance. We will distribute logistics and provide funds that can be used by the government and its people," he stated in Jakarta on Wednesday (October 25).
Suharyanto made the statement during a ministerial meeting that discussed measures for handling the impacts of landslides and famine hitting Yahukimo District.
In addition to logistics aid, the BNPB is planning to deploy a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, with a loading capacity of 1,500 kilograms, to facilitate the distribution of aid to locations affected by the disasters in the district.
"We are preparing 20 tons of rice, 10 thousand packages of instant food, 10 thousand packs of protein biscuits, five refuge tents, 1,500 packages of basic necessities, 1,500 packages of hygiene kits, 50 solar panels, and an operational budget of Rp1 billion (US$63 thousand)," he remarked.
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He then elaborated on the disasters currently affecting the people of Yahukimo District.
"The district is hit by landslides in addition to crop failures. The landslides have resulted in 70 houses suffering minor damages and over 30 houses suffering major damages," he revealed.
According to Suharyanto, the central government will disburse compensation of Rp15 million (US$944) for each house with minor damages and Rp60 million (US$3,779) for houses severely damaged.
Furthermore, he affirmed that all assistance about to be distributed would serve as an initial one, adding that the government would possibly distribute additional aid if it is deemed as necessary.
"This is just an initial assistance. We will continue to coordinate with the regional government to identify what else is needed by the affected people," he concluded.
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Translator: Devi Nindy, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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