Central Java Provincial Government Relocates 900 Houses of Victims of the Gerak Land English: Central Java Provincial Government Relocates 900 Houses of Victims of the Gerak Land

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi. ANTARA/HO-Pemprov Jateng

SEMARANG - The Central Java Provincial Government will soon relocate 900 damaged houses affected by the landslide that spread across the Tegal, Purbalingga, Pemalang, and Batang regencies.

"We have instructed the regent. The land has been obtained in the Perhutani area. It has been checked, it is safe," said Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, in Semarang, Wednesday, February 11, reported by ANTARA.

According to him, the acceleration was not without reason, because in addition to the residents' unsafe living areas, coupled with the still high rainfall which caused the potential for disasters to multiply.

"The target is that residents will move from evacuation to temporary housing as soon as possible," said the former Central Java Police Chief.

The relocation land is not only a safe place to live, but the Central Java Provincial Government also pays attention to access to education for children of residents to access livelihoods.

He detailed that there were 800 houses that would be relocated from Padasari Village, Jatinegara District, Tegal Regency, then there were 50 houses affected by land movement in Purbalingga, 30 in Pemalang and 20 in Batang.

After determining the relocation location, the next step is to educate the residents so that they immediately want to move because not all residents voluntarily move to temporary housing.

The reason is that the work and property that had to be abandoned so that the Central Java Provincial Government partnered with the TNI and Polri elements to provide education, and the regency/city government was also asked to continue to approach the community.

He also asked the Social Service to fully list all affected residents, not only their names and origins but also their jobs and property so that when the relocation process is carried out, nothing is scattered or even lost.

Currently, he continued, residents affected by the Tegal Regency landslide are still living in evacuation centers, but all needs are ensured to be met, including access to education for children in evacuation centers.

"There is a communal kitchen and a health post. The needs are ensured to be met. If there is a shortage, immediately report it. Because the food and health of the people are the top priority," he said.

Furthermore, he also asked the regent and mayor to immediately determine the status of local disaster response if there is a dangerous disaster even though the scale is not extensive.

The Provincial Government will quickly handle not only the evacuation of disaster victims, but also further repairs.

"If there is a disaster, then the regent and mayor will determine the local disaster response. Where is the area, then the provincial government will handle it," he said.

Finally, Luthfi also advised Central Java residents to remain vigilant about natural disasters because at this time the rainfall is still high and the potential for landslides, floods, rob, and land movement can occur.