Government Guarantees Repair of Houses Damaged by M 7.6 Earthquake in Manado

One person was killed and dozens of houses damaged following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that shook Manado City, North Sulawesi, and surrounding areas on Thursday (2/4). On Friday (3/4), the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, immediately visited the location and assured that the central government would cover all costs for repairing residents’ homes affected by the disaster. Suharyanto’s presence in Manado focused on inspecting damage at the KONI Building (Hall B) and residential areas. At the site, he dialogued with victims still traumatised by the severe earthquake. One resident was reported dead after being crushed by building rubble in Tateli Village, Mandolang District, Minahasa Regency. “In accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s orders, we immediately ensured the on-ground conditions. Initial handling has been carried out very well and in an integrated manner,” Suharyanto stated during the inspection. In addition to providing moral support, Suharyanto also distributed basic necessities logistics to affected residents and condolence payments to the victim’s family. He also prayed directly for the deceased at the funeral home. Based on data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), by Friday afternoon, there had been 401 aftershocks. However, their strength continued to decrease, with none exceeding the main earthquake. “We will continue to monitor for the next week until there is an official release from BMKG regarding this seismic energy activity,” Suharyanto added. The North Sulawesi Provincial Government is planned to soon declare an emergency response status, following two districts that took similar steps earlier. With that status, Suharyanto emphasised that repairing damaged houses is the full responsibility of the government. Lightly and moderately damaged houses will be repaired, while heavily damaged ones will be replaced with new constructions. “For residents’ houses that are damaged, they will be repaired by the government. The mechanism will later consider submissions and local fiscal capacity. If handed over to the centre, the centre will take over,” he asserted. The Ministry of Social Affairs has also monitored the provision of compensation for the heirs of the deceased victim in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Although there are no reports of centralised evacuations yet, BNPB along with joint teams continues to conduct field assessments to ensure all survivors’ needs are met. President Prabowo Subianto has requested that residents’ safety be the top priority in handling the earthquake disaster in North Sulawesi and North Maluku. The KONI Building in Sario, Manado City, suffered severe damage and claimed one life caused by the magnitude 7.6 earthquake. One resident was found lifeless among the rubble of the KONI Building, Sario sports field, Manado City, North Sulawesi, after the Manado earthquake of magnitude 7.6.