Susilo visits quake victims in Alor a month after disaster
Susilo visits quake victims in Alor a month after disaster
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited on Saturday victims of
the major earthquake that rattled the East Nusa Tenggara island
of Alor, one month after the disaster took place.
Running behind schedule, Susilo arrived at Alor's main town of
Kalabahi just before dusk. Rather than sticking to his original
plan to stay the night in a makeshift shelter with quake victims,
he opted for the official residence of Regent Hans Takalapeta.
Soon after his arrival, the President spoke with local
government officials and religious leaders, underlining the need
to distribute relief funds in a transparent and accountable way.
Susilo asked the local government to calculate the cost of
constructing tremor-proof buildings to minimize fatalities should
another quake occur.
"We need to increase our capability to anticipate earthquakes.
The central government will be available 24/7 to communicate with
the regions, to ensure a quick response in the event of a major
disaster," the President said during the meeting.
The earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, shook Alor
on Nov. 12, killing 34 people, injuring dozens of others and
causing severe damage to the area.
Aftershocks have continued to hit the area, forcing people to
stay in tents or under the open sky.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Megawati Soekarnoputri have
also visited Alor, as well as Nabire in Papua, which was recently
hit by a major quake.
The President said the reason for his two-day visit was to
inspect disaster mitigation efforts, as well as the
rehabilitation and reconstruction of the area.
"I wanted to meet with the people of Alor, to see for myself
what the local government has done to ease their suffering,"
Susilo said.
He is slated to visit the quake's epicenter at Bukapiting,
some 37 kilometers of Kalabahi on Sunday (today), and meet with
some victims before flying back to Jakarta.
Susilo was accompanied by First Lady Kristiani Herawati,
Minister of Public Works Djoko Kirmanto, Minister of Health Siti
Fadilla Supari, Minister of Social Services Bachtiar Chamsyah,
Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Indonesian Navy chief Adm.
Bernard Kent Sondakh.
It took three hours for the presidential entourage to reach
Alor from the provincial capital of Kupang, as Susilo opted to
travel by sea aboard the KRI Karel Sasuit Tubun warship, rather
than in a helicopter.
Presidential Spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said Susilo had
wanted to view for himself the province's sprawling islands.
Andi said the President was expected to attend a Christmas
celebration with quake victims in Nabire, Papua.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has donated some Rp 335
million (US$37,222) to provide basic necessities and
rehabilitation funds for Alor quake victims.
The Taiwanese government has provided financial assistance
totaling $20,000 for quake victims in both Nabire and Alor.