Quick Action, Social Minister Visits Pasaman Earthquake Victims And Hands Over Aid

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini, visited the earthquake victims in West Pasaman. (photo: doc. between)

PADANG - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini moved quickly to overcome the earthquake in Pasaman. Saturday, February 26, the former Mayor of Surabaya immediately visited the earthquake victims in Nagari Kajai, Talamau District, West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra Province.

In Nagari Kajai, the Minister of Social Affairs immediately checked the damage caused by the earthquake, inspecting the refugee camps. He also handed over compensation of Rp. 15 million to the heirs of the earthquake victims who died, and handed over assistance to earthquake victims.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, among others, provided assistance in the form of 2,000 ready-to-eat food packages, 100 boxes of packaged drinks, 300 packages of tableware, 300 roll tents, 50 family tents. There are also four red and white tents, 300 mattresses, 300 blankets.

Furthermore, 300 packages of family equipment, 300 packages of kitchen utensils, 70 velbeds, 300 mattresses, 300 packages of sanitary napkins, 10 packages of children's equipment, 300 packages of baby diapers, and 300 packages of baby clothes were also given.

"The aid items from the Palembang warehouse were immediately sent to West Pasaman Regency," said the Minister of Social Affairs as quoted by Antara.

In addition, there was assistance for earthquake victims sent from the Warehouse of the Center for Social Welfare Education and Training in Padang.

The aid sent from Padang included 30 family tents, 500 packages of baby clothes, 200 mattresses, three multipurpose family tents, 100 mattresses, 40 boxes of bottled drinking water. In addition, 200 packages of tableware, 200 packages of family kitchen equipment, 100 packages of baby diapers, 100 packages of sanitary napkins, 200 blankets, and 500 packages of children's food were also sent.

Furthermore, there was assistance for earthquake victims sent from the West Sumatra Province Social Service Warehouse in the form of 400 ready-to-eat food packages, 400 ready-to-eat side dishes, 200 blankets, 400 children's food packages, 100 mattresses, 200 mattresses, 200 rolled tents, 20 packages. family kitchen utensils, 100 packages of adult clothes, and 100 packages of baby clothes.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also deployed Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) to record the impact of the earthquake, evacuate earthquake victims, and distribute aid to earthquake victims.

According to government interim data, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 which occurred on Friday, February 25 in the West Pasaman region, caused four people to die, 19 people were seriously injured, seven people were moderately injured, and 36 people were slightly injured. The earthquake also caused damage to about 5,000 buildings and forced about 10,000 people to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the number of people affected by the earthquake from Nagari Malampah, Tigo Nagari District, Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra Province, who fled to Nagari Salreh Aia, Palembayan District, Agam Regency, increased to around 700 people according to the local sub-district head.

The sub-district head of Palembayan, Sabirun, in Lubukbasung, Saturday, February 26 said that initially there were only about 120 residents from Nagari Malampah who fled to Nagari Salareh Aia. However, the number later increased to 200 people on Friday (25/2) afternoon and increased again to around 700 people in the early hours of the morning.

"They arrived at night before dawn using trucks," he said.

Sabirun said that residents who were affected by the earthquake last Friday took refuge in the Padang Tarok area, Nagari Salareh Aia. "They live in empty houses, mosques and other places," he said.

He said that the residents and the nagari government had provided a public kitchen for the refugees. According to him, the refugees are currently still in need of clothing, children's equipment, and ready-to-eat food.