Azis Syamsuddin: All Parties Must Synergistically Help Victims In East Flores

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Azis Syamsuddin, also mourned the flood and landslide that occurred in Lembata Regency, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on the early hours of Sunday, April 4. This incident killed at least 63 people.

Azis asked the Central Government through the relevant Ministries and Regional Governments (Pemda) to immediately send assistance, both logistics, and heavy equipment to facilitate evacuation and search for victims who have not been found.

"All parties must synergize with each other to help our brothers and sisters in East Flores in the process of evacuating the search for victims, medical aid, food and clothes suitable for use and evacuation posts and public kitchens by prioritizing children and the elderly so they are not susceptible to disease," said Azis, Monday, April 5.

Azis also encouraged the National Search and Rescue Agency, the National Agency for Disaster Management, Ministry of Social Affairs, the National Army, and the National Police to be able to facilitate the delivery of aid to the location of the incident. Considering Lembata is an island that is far enough to be reached from Larantuka port and cannot be traveled by land route.

"Lembata Subdistrict is an archipelago area, of course, access must be made easier in sending aid to the location of the incident. Do not let transportation problems become an obstacle causing delays in assistance to disaster victims," said the Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party.

Flash floods and landslides in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, early Sunday, April 4, was said by a resident to be the worst in recent years.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that the affected locations were in four sub-districts and seven villages.