Ministry of Social Affairs Prepares Logistics and Shelters for Sumedang Earthquake Survivors

SUMEDANG (January 3, 2024) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared logistics and shelter for earthquake victims in Sumedang, West Java. Both assistance has been sent since Monday (1/1) to several points such as Sumedang Regional Hospital, Pakuwon Hospital, and several other affected areas.

Director General of Social Protection and Security of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Robben Rico said that currently, the community needs the most is shelter because aftershocks still occur so people are afraid to return home. The damage is not severe, but the Ministry of Social Affairs still prepares shelters and logistics for anticipation. This is to ensure that people have shelter when aftershocks occur.

"Yesterday, I checked it myself, in three days the position was not severe, but indeed we still have to prepare. So, we can't be in a position to respond because we don't know when the aftershocks will occur," said Robben when interviewed at the Ministry of Social Affairs Office, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (1/2).

The Ministry of Social Affairs prepares multi-purpose tents, family tents, and roll-up tents for affected communities. Large multi-purpose tents are installed at several evacuation points, while family tents specially made to accommodate 4-5 people are given to families who have land near their homes. "There are quite a lot of people interested in sleeping in our tents. On average, they said they were afraid to stay at home because there are still several aftershocks at night," he said. 

In the shelter, the Ministry of Social Affairs prepares tents complete with mattresses, portable toilets, fans, and foods. Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana) and social pillars were mobilized to build a public kitchen. The community also assists the Ministry of Social Affairs in preparing food.

In more detail, the assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs in the form of multipurpose tents 22 units, family tents 49 units, roll tents 20 units, mattresses 105 units, blankets 140 units, children's equipment 50 packages, family kitchen equipment 20 packages, children's food 240 packages, pallets 70 pcs, plywood 60 pcs, spotlights + Steger 5 units, SHS solar cell 10 units, regular rice 2,000 kg, and other food and drinking needs.

The assistance comes from the Ministry of Social Affairs logistics warehouse in 5 locations, namely the logistics warehouse in Bekasi, the West Java Provincial Social Service warehouse, the Sumedang Regency Social Service warehouse, the "Abiyoso" Center warehouse in Cimahi, and the Lembang Social Welfare Education and Training Center (BBPPKS).

Robben said the Ministry of Social Affairs will remain in Sumedang until the disaster emergency response ends. "Furthermore, we are waiting for conditions. The Acting Regent has issued an emergency response, we will secure it until the emergency response period is over," he said.

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Sumedang on Sunday, December 31, 2023. Since the first earthquake, there have been several aftershocks that have triggered public panic. The earthquake affected many residents and hundreds of patients in hospitals had to be evacuated.