Social Affairs Ministry prepares aid for Central Sulawesi earthquake victims

The Ministry of Social Affairs is ready to provide emergency logistics assistance and socio-economic intervention support for earthquake survivors in Central Sulawesi Province. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf said in Jakarta on Wednesday that ministry teams are already on location, working with the regional government to collect data. ‘We have prepared everything, but we are still waiting for confirmation on the exact number of affected families. As of now, we have not yet received definite confirmation regarding the number of fatalities or injuries,’ he stated. He explained that once the real data and number of survivors are received from the government, aid will be distributed immediately to ensure the intervention is accurately targeted. However, urgent assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs is confirmed to be already on site, including emergency tents, ready-to-eat meals, buffer stock supplies, and the establishment of public kitchens at evacuation points. According to the latest data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of Wednesday at 06.00 WIB, a total of 1,834 households, equivalent to 5,784 individuals, have been affected by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake across four districts and cities in Central Sulawesi. BNPB reports indicate that Sigi Regency is the worst-hit area, with 1,813 households or 5,744 individuals affected, 71 people sustaining minor injuries, three seriously injured, and one fatality. Beyond the human toll, the tremor in Sigi Regency caused massive infrastructure damage, with 1,074 homes suffering light damage, 110 homes moderately damaged, and 30 residential units recorded as heavily damaged.