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.