Aceh seeks aid to help earthquake victims

Aceh seeks aid to help earthquake victims

The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh said he would propose that the central government declare the recent earthquake that rocked Simeulue a national disaster, in an attempt to seek financial aid for the victims and to rehabilitate damaged buildings.

"I have met with the coordinating minister for people's welfare to discuss the proposal," he said while touring Meugang market in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.

The earthquake, registering 5.3 on the Richter scale, shook Simeulue on Nov. 2, 2002, killing two people and injuring 54 others. It also damaged 209 houses and other buildings, causing Rp 100 billion in losses to local residents.

He said the provincial administration had dispatched humanitarian aid to the small island to help injured victims and those whose homes had been damaged in the disaster.

The law on natural disasters requires the central government to handle a disaster by providing financial, food and medical aid to the victims and to raise funds to help rehabilitate all damaged facilities, including dwellings.

The social affairs ministry distributed 50 tons of rice to Simeulue to help victims only hours after the quake.

Director general for relief and social security affairs Sumarjati Arjoso said in Jakarta that the rice had been distributed through the local office of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in Banda Aceh.

"Besides, we also dispatched 44,000 packs of instant noodles, 17,600 kilograms of sugar, 500 blankets and other food," he said.

He said the local administration should set up makeshift accommodation for all whose homes had been badly damaged in the disaster.

The health ministry has sent a medical team to provide aid for the injured victims. The Indonesian Red Cross has also dispatched medical aid to the island.