Assistance for Kerinci continues

Assistance for Kerinci continues

JAKARTA: With the distribution of food supplies stopped, the
government will continue sending medicines, clothing, building
materials and money to victims of the recent quake in Jambi.

The Ministry of Social Services' Director General of Social
Aid Sjafei Andjasmaja said yesterday that the food supply has
been stopped mainly because the harvest season in the stricken
areas has arrived.

"This morning, the Jambi governor and I agreed to formally
stop food supplies," Sjafei told reporters.

Governor Abdurrahman said the quake measuring 7 on the Richter
scale which struck Kerinci regency earlier this month claimed 85
lives, seriously injured 558 people and damaged over 17,000
houses. It also caused extensive damage to public facilities.

"Every badly damaged house will receive Rp 1 million (US$444)
and slightly damaged houses Rp 250,000," Sjafei said, adding that
the project will spend about Rp 10 billion.

So far, the ministry has received more than $300,000 from
foreign and local donors. Yesterday, Korea donated another
$30,000.(31)