Govt to give cash to Aceh flood victims

KUTACANE, Southeast Aceh: The government will provide Rp 4 million (about US$400) in cash for each family affected by the flash flood in Southeast Aceh regency, Aceh, Minister of Social Services Bachtiar Chamsyah said on Saturday.

Bachtiar said the government was now assessing the condition of houses and buildings in the area to seek ways on how to help in the reconstruction work.

The flood, which occurred on Tuesday, killed 22 people, and is seen as the worst this year in terms of fatalities after April's flash floods in the same regency, which killed 15 people.

Speaking after visiting the affected area, Bachtiar said that what was urgent now was how to help the refugees, as over 1,700 residents had been forced to leave their homes. -- detik.com