There Are 150 East Acehnese Refugees Due To Gas Leakage, Dominated By Mothers And Children

The Chief Executive of BPBA, Dr. Ilyas and a number of work units from the East Aceh Regency Government visited residents who were displaced due to gas leaks (Photo: ANTARA)

ACEH - The Aceh government responded quickly to the alleged gas leak in East Aceh on Sunday, 27 yesterday which affected residents in the Gampong Panton Rayeuk area, Banda Alam District, East Aceh Regency.

"The government through the Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) and a number of work equipment from the East Aceh Regency Government immediately evacuated local residents on the night of the incident," said Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau of the Aceh Secretariat Muhammad Iswanto in Banda Aceh, Antara, Monday, June 28.

He explained that since last night at the direction and orders of the Governor of Aceh Nova Iriansyah, the Aceh Regional Secretary immediately held a meeting with a number of related SKPA heads to follow up and deal with the incident.

The Aceh Government and the East Aceh Regency Government have established a command post in the yard of the Banda Alam Camat Office to coordinate the handling of the disaster that occurred. The current number of refugees is around 150 residents.

At the post, the government provided refugee tents, public kitchens, and medical assistance which were handled directly by doctors.

"Currently the Head of BPBA and the team are at the scene directly to monitor the condition of the residents. The situation on the ground based on reports is safe and under control. The health team continues to be on standby," said Iswanto.

He said the refugees' food and drinking needs had been prepared by the East Aceh Social Service by holding a public kitchen. All food ingredients for eating and drinking were fully assisted by PT Medco.

The head of the Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA), Ilyas, from the scene reported that the refugees were dominated by women and children. Two people affected by the incident are still being treated at the Zubir Mahmud Hospital.

Ilyas said that a number of other people who came to the Keude Geureubak puskesmas for observation have now all returned to the evacuation site without any health problems.

To prevent repeated leaks, the Aceh Environment and Forestry Service team will directly check the conditions on the ground and coordinate with the company.