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)