Jokowi: Today The Relocation Of Earthquake Victims Of Cianjur Starts

President Jokowi in Cianjur, last November 24 (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that the houses of residents who were relocated due to the earthquake in Cianjur, West Java will begin today, Monday, December 5.

He conveyed this after reviewing the location of refugees who were victims of the Cianjur earthquake, West Java. He did not specify when the relocation should be completed but it was certain that the process would run soon.

"The first thing that started today's relocation. The construction is starting today," said Jokowi as shown on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Monday, December 5.

Jokowi asked for the relocation process to be carried out quickly. The reason is that he saw the condition of the refugees who were cold and needed a place to live as soon as possible.

"As soon as possible, it will be finished as soon as possible because the community has been raining and cold in the tents," he said.

Meanwhile, cash assistance will be given to earthquake victims whose houses were damaged starting Thursday, December 8. The details of the assistance provided are IDR 50 million for damaged houses, IDR 25 million for moderately damaged houses, and IDR 10 million for lightly damaged houses.

Jokowi said the assistance could be taken directly or through savings. "This system has been prepared and I came here to check the preparations," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

With the immediate provision of assistance, it is hoped that the victims of the Cianjur earthquake can immediately repair their homes. So, people can return to their activities, especially carrying out economic activities.

President Jokowi returned to visit the earthquake-affected areas in Cianjur, West Java. He took the land route with his entourage, namely Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, and Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto.

The earthquake that occurred on Monday, November 21 had a magnitude of 5.6 SR. Based on data from the Cianjur Regency Government on Sunday, December 5, this incident resulted in 334 deaths and eight people are still being searched.

While the number of houses severely damaged reached 8,151 houses, damaged houses reached 11,210 units, and lightly damaged 18,469 units. The damage was also experienced by 525 schools, 269 places of worship, 14 health facilities, and 17 office buildings.