Nearly 2,000 left homeless by quake in Dompu regency

Nearly 2,000 left homeless by quake in Dompu regency

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Nearly 2,000 villagers in the West Nusa Tenggara regency of
Dompu discovered on Friday that their homes had been destroyed by
an overnight earthquake.

With their houses destroyed by the quake, which measured 5.0
on the Richter scale, the villagers are sheltering in tents
erected by emergency workers. Food assistance also has been
provided for the victims.

The epicenter of the quake was located in the Flores Sea off
Sumbawa, an island that lies to the east of Indonesia's tourist
islands of Bali and Lombok.

No fatalities were reported, but two people were injured and
504 buildings damaged or destroyed in the quake. Among the
damaged buildings were 12 mosques, 15 elementary schools, two
junior high schools, two community health centers and five
village administration offices.

"These are temporary figures. We are still updating the damage
the quake caused. There have been reports that several other
villages also were affected," Dompu Regent Abu Bakar Ahmad was
quoted by Antara as saying.

He said two people wounded by falling debris and been treated
and reunited with their families.

The quake disrupted telephone communication in the region,
located about 1,350 kilometers east of Jakarta, leaving the
regency isolated.

Ahmad said most of the buildings damaged by the quake were
made of brick, while stilt houses made of wood remained largely
untouched.

The spokesman for the Dompu regency administration, Islam,
said his office had disbursed Rp 10 million to help quake victims
in the Huu district and another Rp 5 million for victims in Pajo
district.

He said victims also had received 2.85 tons of rice, 60 boxes
of instant noodles and six tents that will be used as temporary
classrooms.

"I have been contacted by Governor Harun Al Rasyid and he
instructed me to make sure that educational activities continue
despite the damaged school buildings," Abu Bakar said.

He said the regency administration had provided victims with
shelter and food for three days, and would supply more
humanitarian aid for the next three days.

Ahmad called for additional assistance from the central
government and provincial administrations.

Antara reported that when visiting quake victims, Ahmad asked
them to remain patient and promised them he would work to ensure
their safety.

He also said that rebuilding schools would be one of his top
priorities.