Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf: Earthquake Handling in West Bandung Regency is Runs Effectively and in Collaboration

BANDUNG (September 25^th, 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, accompanied by the Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation, Salahuddin Yahya, representing the Director General of Social Rehabilitation Supomo, made a working visit to the Main Earthquake Handling Post in West Bandung Regency. This working visit aimed to directly monitor the handling of the earthquake disaster that occurred on September 18, 2024, and to ensure that the distribution of aid and services for the survivors is running smoothly.

During his visit, the Minister of Social Affairs reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the citizens affected by the earthquake. "Specifically for the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), we provide support worth more than IDR 3 billion for various needs, from the social granaries that we have around the earthquake-affected areas. I am grateful that this collaborative handling runs well," Saifullah Yusuf said. The Minister also emphasized the importance of synergy between various parties in handling the disaster, both from the central government, regional governments, and other institutions.

Since the earthquake occurred, MoSA has distributed assistance worth IDR 3.05 billion in total. The assistance consisted of disaster response assistance worth to IDR 2.9 billion and compensation worth IDR 150 million for one heir of the deceased victim, who received IDR 15 million, as well as for 27 injured victims, each receiving IDR 5 million.

In addition to financial assistance, MoSA distributed various logistic needs to the survivors in the evacuation sites. This assistance included 31 units of multifunctional tents, 131 units of portable family tents, 320 sheets of roll-up tents (tarpaulins), 755 mattresses, 910 sheets of blankets, 30 units of velbeds, 465 family kit packages, 465 kids ware packages, 2,080 packages of ready-to-eat meals, and 1,100 packages of children's food. For clothing needs, 50 adult clothing packages and 400 children's clothing packages were distributed.

To ensure that the teaching and learning process was not disrupted, through Tagana Indonesia, MoSA established emergency schools using eight tents in several schools damaged by the earthquake. Meanwhile, the field kitchen had been operating since September 19^th in the courtyard of the Kertasari Subdistrict office, producing 6,000 packaged meals per day for two meals. This kitchen service provided food supplies for survivors in Kertasari District and its surroundings.

MoSA also ensured the installation of electricity and the installation of solar cells for lighting in evacuation tents, as well as provide portable toilets and water tanks at communal evacuation sites. In Cikembang Village, two additional portable toilets had been installed for the survivors.

In addition, therapy tents have been set up at the evacuation site, providing several therapy services such as reflexology, cupping, hypnotherapy, and nerve pressure point therapy for the survivors. Psychosocial support services were also provided for residents living in evacuation tents, to help them cope with post-disaster trauma.

Currently, the survivors are still occupying the refugee tents that have been equipped with lights and fans, as well as solar cell lighting around the refugee location. MoSA was committed to continuously accompanying and providing the best services for the survivors until the situation returned to normal.