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.