"I would like to thank all relevant ministries for taking proactive steps in order to minimize the impacts of the disaster," he told journalists after attending a ministerial meeting at his office, Jakarta.
Effendy commended emergency handling measures taken by the Social Affairs Ministry, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Health Ministry, and Public Works and Public Housing Ministry (PUPR), noting that the measures had protected West Sumatra from more severe impacts.
The minister noted that floods and landslides hitting West Sumatra had affected over 86 thousand people, driving most of them to take refuge at their relatives' homes.
"Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) will continue to search for five missing persons," he added.
Related news: W Sumatra: BNPB steps up search for missing flood, landslide victims
The minister further remarked that the natural disasters had inflicted mild to medium damage to 1,609 houses, caused severe damage to 40 others, inundated over 24 thousand buildings, swept away three houses, disrupted 54 public facilities, submerged 21 bridges, and severely damaged a bridge.
"Once again, I would like to extend my gratitude to relevant ministries for exerting steps in a highly proactive manner, preventing West Sumatra from being plunged into more severe impacts and risks," he concluded.
On Monday (March 11), PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono affirmed that his office would take part in repairing damaged public facilities and infrastructure in West Sumatra, including South Pesisir District.
"I have the responsibility to (repair) the affected facilities and infrastructure. The PUPR Ministry is tasked with dealing with damaged roads, bridges, offices, schools, and other infrastructure and facilities," he remarked while inspecting a flood-hit area in South Pesisir.
Earlier, on March 8, the South Pesisir district government put in place a two-week emergency response status to handle floods and landslides hitting the district on March 7.
Related news: 5 provinces at risk for wet hydrometeorological disasters: BNPB
Translator: Lintang B, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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