"A number of communities and villages in Pesisir Selatan and Padang Pariaman may require relocation," he remarked after a ministerial meeting in Jakarta.
He said that his ministry had urged local governments in the province to find places for relocating residents who are most vulnerable to floods and landslides.
Effendy affirmed that the land for relocation would be the responsibility of local governments, while the construction of houses would utilize ready-to-use funds from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"The construction will be funded by readily available funds from the BNPB, which are typically used to build housing for disaster victims," he remarked.
Meanwhile, BNPB's main secretary, Rustian, explained that as of Wednesday afternoon (March 13), five people had gone missing, while eight were injured due to the flood disaster that hit West Sumatra.
The disaster has impacted over 86,000 people, or 28,925 households. Most have sought shelter with relatives.
In addition, some 1,609 houses incurred light to moderate damage, 40 units suffered severe damage, and more than 24,092 houses were submerged.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with the BNPB and local governments to meet the basic needs of evacuees.
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Translator: Lintang P, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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