SAKETA (July 17,2019) - The Ministry of Social Affairs distributed 1.39 billion rupiah in assistance to earthquake victims in North Maluku. The Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that the assistance was directly distributed to the affected areas in 9 villages. The nine villages include Ranga-Ranga Village, Gane Luar Village, Samat Village, Gaimu Village, Kuwo Village, Liaro Village, Tomara Village, East Gane Village, Tanjung Jere Village, Lemo Lemo Village.

"In accordance with President Jokowi's direction, the handling of victims of natural disasters must be as soon as possible. For that, the Ministry of Social Affairs immediately provided assistance in the form of rice, side dishes, tents and compensation for victims who died. Noted as many damaged buildings in the nine villages as many as 971 units," said the Minister.
 
The amount of compensation for 6 victims died each of 15 million rupiah. The six victims included Aisyah (age 54 years, Ranga-Ranga Village, Gane Barat Selatan District), Aspar Mukmat (age 20 years, Gane Dalam Village, South East Gane District), Sagaf Girato (age 50 years, Yomen Village Kec Joronga), Aina Amin (50 years old, Gane Luar Village, Gane Timur Selatan District), Wiji Siang (60 years old, Gane Luar Village, Gane Timur Selatan District), Saimah (around 90 years old, Nyonyifi residents, East Bacan district).


 
Youth Disaster Preparedness (Tagana) Translucent Most Difficult Location
 
The difficulty of the path to the location of the earthquake point in the village of Gane Luar did not receded the Ministry of Social assistance team consisting of Youth Disaster Preparedness, PKH Supporters and other social pillars to reach the village.
 
The Ministry of Social assistance team was coordinated by the Director General of Social Protection and Social Security (Linjamsos) of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Harry Hikmat.
 
Director General of Social Protection and Social Security (Linjamsos) explained that in order to reach the village of Gane Luar as the worst affected area due to the earthquake, the team had 10 hours journey to Ternate.
 
The lack of transportation was also an obstacle in the distribution of aid to the most difficult areas. To reach the two worst villages, the only transportation was only by motorcycle. There was also via sea but with uncertain weather conditions at this time, it’s very risky for the distribution of logistics assistance.
 
"To be able to reach this village, we have to use a speedboat for 1 hour to reach Sofifi port. From Sofifi we continued using the vehicle for 5 hours to the village of Matuting. Arriving in the village of Matuting we continue the journey by using a motorcycle for more than 2 hours. The choice of the motorcycle was due to access to the two villages that were damaged by the earthquake," he added

The impact of the earthquake that occurred last Sunday caused 971 units of homes damaged and 3,104 people were forced to evacuate because they were still traumatized. There were 15 evacuation points, including The BPBD Office of South Halmahera, South Halmahera Regency Tourism Office, South Halmahera District Police Station, Mesjid Raya, Halsel LP Office, SMEA Amasing, Bobebo Mountain and the rest were located in West and East Gane Sub-District.
 
 
Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs
Sonny W. Manalu