Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) handed over Rp1 billion (about US$ 65,87 thousand) to aid the victims of the 5.4-magnitude earthquake, which rattled Jayapura City, Papua Province, and claimed four lives.
The assistance was handed over symbolically to the Jayapura City Government at the Jayapura City Hospital, on Saturday.
Deputy for Emergency Mitigation at BNPB Major General Fajar Setyawan said here on Saturday that the assistance included Rp750 million Ready-to-Use Fund (DSP) as well as logistics assistance and compensation for the heirs of the deceased victims worth Rp250 million.
"In addition, we will distribute three thousand blankets, three thousand mats, and five units of tents, which are currently being sent to handle post-earthquake mitigation in Jayapura," he noted.
The deputy noted that the DSP worth Rp750 million will be used for post-disaster handling operations that will be conducted by the military, police, and related government institutions.
"We will also immediately carry out an assessment of the affected (damaged) buildings, so we can know whether the buildings can be used (or not),” he remarked.
To this end, the agency will conduct an assessment of the Jayapura Dok II Hospital, so it can resume its services at the earliest.
Setyawan noted that currently, the situation in the city has started to become conducive and under control due to the handling carried out and assistance provided by the Jayapura City Government after the earthquake hit the region on Thursday (February 9, 2023).
However, Setyawan said that the agency still has to ensure as well as conduct monitoring and assistance to ensure that disaster mitigation runs optimally.
"We expect the media to disseminate the right information. Thus, people will not panic (due to false information)," he remarked.
Acting Mayor of Jayapura Frans Pekey expressed his gratitude to BNPB for providing assistance to expedite the handling of the impacts of the disaster.
"We will optimally use this (assistance), so that the emergency response team can carry out the disaster handling well," he added.
Acting Regional Secretary of Jayapura City Robby Awi had announced a 21-day disaster emergency response period from February 9 to March 1, 2023, due to the earthquake.
He also noted that about 2,500 people sought refuge at 15 locations throughout the city, as of Friday (February 10, 2023).
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