More Than 400 Residents Become Victims Of The M 5.8 Poso Earthquake, The Ministry Of Social Affairs Ensures That Their Needs Are Sufficient

Residents of Poso district, Central Sulawesi took refuge in the soccer field after the M 5.8 earthquake occurred in Southeast Pamona and South Pamona sub-districts. (ANTARA-HO-BPBD Central Sulawesi)

The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) ensures the adequacy of basic needs assistance for victims affected by the earthquake in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, totaling more than 400 people.

"More than 400 people were affected and all fulfilled from the Ministry of Social Affairs," said Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf when met after opening the briefing of Teachers and People's Principals in Jakarta, Tuesday.

According to him, logistical assistance for basic necessities in the form of food and drinking water has been distributed complete with the general kitchen.

The Ministry of Social Affairs through UPT Sentra Nipotowe in Palu City, Central Sulawesi, has also distributed logistical assistance for evacuation needs ranging from tents, blankets, clothes to medicines with a proportional amount according to the needs in the field, including trauma recovery team officers if needed.

The assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs, which had been distributed a few moments after the earthquake on Sunday, August 17, was worth a total of IDR 202.19 million.

"Handling refugees is a top priority in every disaster. We ensure that the basic needs of the refugees are met immediately," he said.

Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that a magnitude (M) 6.0 earthquake rocked Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi on Sunday at 05.36 WIB.

The earthquake was upgraded to a magnitude (M) of 5.8 with the epicenter of the earthquake located at coordinates 1.27 degrees south latitude of 120.75 degrees east longitude, or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 13 kilometers northwest of Poso City at a depth of 10 kilometers.

A total of 433 people or 184 families who were victims of the disaster, as reported by the Central Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), were 31 elderly, 23 toddlers, and five people with disabilities.