BNPB Head Inspects Church Post-M7.6 Earthquake, Assures Safe Easter Worship in Minahasa

The head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, has assured Catholic communities in Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, that they can carry out Easter worship safely. Church buildings damaged by the M7.6 earthquake that struck North Sulawesi. This assurance was given after directly inspecting the Catholic Church of Bunda Hati Kudus Parish in Rumengkor on Friday (3/4), as well as to ensure that emergency handling proceeds swiftly. His visit focused on the Catholic Church of Bunda Hati Kudus Parish, Rumengkor, one of the worship facilities that experienced minor roof damage. “The public may carry out worship calmly,” Suharyanto emphasised at the location on Friday afternoon. He revealed that the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded more than 400 aftershocks following the main quake. However, BMKG assured that there is no longer any potential for quakes larger than M7.6. This visit took place at a critical moment, coinciding with the Holy Week series from Good Friday to Easter. Therefore, Suharyanto promised immediate repairs to the church damage. He stated that the repair process will be facilitated by the central government through BNPB, provided that the Minahasa Regency Government promptly declares a disaster emergency status. “If Minahasa Regency declares an emergency status, then the repair of this church and several residents’ houses affected—information indicates fewer than 10 houses in Tombolo Subdistrict—will be handled by the Central Government through BNPB,” he explained. Suharyanto also assured that the government will not limit the budget for post-disaster recovery. “Whenever a disaster occurs, the required budget will be supported by the Central Government. We are not limited; it depends on the disaster’s condition. The key point is that we collaborate to promptly repair and assist affected communities,” he emphasised. Suharyanto hopes that the transition period towards recovery in North Sulawesi will proceed quickly, so that community social activities and worship can return to normal. He also called on all elements of society to remain vigilant and continue praying so that the frequency of disasters in Indonesia decreases in the future. BNPB is also distributing temporary housing allowance funds for residents choosing to stay temporarily with family or relatives. The aid amounts to Rp600,000 per month.