Governor stresses needs of earthquake refugees are priority
The need for temporary shelter, especially tents and blankets, will also be ensured for residents who require them.
Kupang (ANTARA) - East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Lala Lena has stressed that the needs of displaced victims of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, are a priority and the government’s main concern, alongside the priority of searching for and evacuating victims.
“Right now, the focus is on how the SAR team can assist in handling victims who are still trapped in buildings. Then ensuring that all victims who are currently displaced because their homes are unusable can eat and drink properly,” he said in Maumere, Sikka Regency, on Saturday.
He made the remarks while directly inspecting the impact of the earthquake that struck Maumere, Sikka Regency.
According to Melki, the need for temporary shelter, especially tents and blankets, will also be ensured for residents who require them.
He also requested assistance from shop owners who are willing to provide food aid to the victims.
“We will sort out the calculations later regarding how much expenditure the shop owners have provided,” he added.
Regarding the possibility of declaring a national disaster status, the Governor said the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government will continue to coordinate with the central government.
“Once again, we will certainly discuss this with the central government. Because the determination of a national disaster lies with the central government. But again, we will present this data as it is, and let the central government decide on the status,” he added.
Meanwhile, the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government has begun processing the declaration of a provincial disaster status. As for national disaster status, the decision rests entirely with the central government.
Governor Melki Laka Lena also said that the central government is scheduled to send relevant officials to see the conditions in East Nusa Tenggara firsthand and support the disaster response.
The Governor’s direct presence together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) in the affected areas is part of efforts to ensure that the entire response process runs quickly, in an integrated manner and on target, while also ensuring that communities in Flores receive full support during the emergency response period.
Regarding road sections affected by landslides, he said they have begun to be handled by the government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Public Works and Public Housing Agency, and the district Public Works and Public Housing agencies in the Flores region.
Restoration of electricity and telecommunications networks is also continuing. A number of areas that previously experienced power disruptions have begun to receive electricity supply again, while telecommunications networks are also being gradually restored.
The Governor assured that all government resources and Forkopimda elements will be deployed to accelerate the restoration of basic public services.