Govt to build barracks for flood evacuees
Govt to build barracks for flood evacuees
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration plans to build barracks as temporary shelter for flood victims, including riverbank squatters, whose houses were destroyed by the recent floods, an official has announced.
The spokesman of the city administration, Soesilo Darmoadji, said yesterday that the thousands of people left homeless would stay at the barracks until their homes have been rebuilt their homes or they have been relocated. "But riverbank squatters are not allowed to rebuild their houses," he said.
"About 200 barracks will be built in the first phase of the project. But we have not yet found a suitable location," Soesilo said.
He said the project will be financed by the city budget, but refused to explain the details of the plan, saying that it is still being prepared by the relevant offices.
Soesilo said the city administration will not allow people who used to live on the riverbank to rebuild their homes and they will be settled in the barracks until the administration decides where to relocate them.
He said one of the options which will be offered is providing them with low-cost apartments.
The aid
Meanwhile, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said that no domestic rebuilding will be allowed until the rainy season is over as further flooding is possible.
"The city administration is not allowing the flood victims to rebuild their homes because it's still dangerous. Please, be patient and wait for further developments," he said when officially opening the National Press Day commemoration yesterday.
Surjadi urged mayoralties to pass the information to the residents and explain the policy clearly.
The governor also urged Jakartans to help the victims with either money or food and clothes.
Surjadi said that 50 out of 265 subdistricts in Jakarta were submerged in last week's floods.
People can send the money to a bank account No. 01.0400-91272, at DKI Bank, on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan while food or clothes can be delivered through the city social agency on Jl. Gunung Sahari II/6, Central Jakarta, or the Jakarta office of the Indonesian Red Cross, on Jl. Kramat Raya No. 47 in Central Jakarta.
When asked about some residents' claims that they have not yet received any aid from the city administration, Surjadi said it is very possible there are many victims who have returned to their homes without informing local officials.
"It is important for local officials to visit every house to register the residents and give the aid," he said.(yns)