"On behalf of myself and the DPR, I express my deep concern and sorrow over the earthquake that occurred in Batang, Central Java," Maharani noted in a DPR written statement received here on Monday.
The House speaker called on the government to immediately take the necessary measures to help the victims of the earthquake, which injured at least nine people and damaged 49 buildings.
"Emergency assistance, such as food, drinking water, and medicines, must be immediately delivered to the victims. Please ensure to prepare for fulfilling the needs of babies, children, older adults, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers," she remarked.
According to Maharani, joint personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the National Police (Polri), and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) must ensure all victims are handled well.
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Moreover, she called on the local government to prepare comfortable and safe evacuation centers by paying attention to the needs of all victims.
"Please provide ease in the provision of assistance for all of the victims' needs," she emphasized.
Maharani made assurance that the DPR will continue to monitor developments in the situation while expressing its readiness to assist in the post-disaster recovery measures as well as continue to push the government to ensure the affected people get the required assistance.
"Coordination and synergy between agencies in disaster management is not yet fully optimal and must be further improved. The central and regional governments must ensure that their responsibilities for dealing with earthquakes are carried out effectively," she affirmed.
The BNPB reported that a 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit Batang District, Central Java, on Sunday at 2:35 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB). The quake's epicenter was located five kilometers northeast of Batang, at a depth of six kilometers.
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Translator: Bagus Ahmad, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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