Malang Earthquake Disaster Response, Minister of Social Affairs Guarantees Social Protection for Victims

MALANG REGENCY (April 12, 2021) - Responding to the earthquake that occurred in Malang Regency and its surroundings, the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini guaranteed the protection of the affected victims.

"Right now, it's the disaster response stage, and that's what I face as the Minister of Social Affairs. So, right now, the important thing is that I rescue the people, those who are victims," ​​said the Minister of Social Affairs Risma while visiting the earthquake-affected locations at the Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) ) 2 Turen, Malang, Sunday (11/4).

Together with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Muhadjir Effendy, the Minister of Social Affairs said that her party provided guarantees for the protection of the lives of earthquake victims in the hope that the minimum standards could be met.

"In terms of health, it is the Minister of Health's responsibility. But, there are not many injured because it is relatively safe here. Some are seriously injured, but they have received treatment from the Public Health Center (Puskesmas). Therefore, I guarantee that those who are affected in terms of their basic needs are fulfilled," he added.

The former Mayor of Surabaya for two periods gave an example of several cases, such as pregnant women and vulnerable groups, whom she met directly. It was confirmed that they would be immediately treated at the Puskesmas.

"Earlier, there were those who were pregnant and immediately transported to the Puskesmas, including those who were old, whose legs were swollen from falling debris. They were also taken to the Puskesmas first," she said.

Meanwhile, those who were healthy, she continued, were immediately taken to the planned shelters in the fields of the nearest areas in Malang or Lumajang Regencies.

Prepare Two Evacuation Locations

The government through the Ministry of Social Affairs is also trying to provide temporary shelters for residents whose houses were badly affected by the earthquake and are no longer habitable.

The location chosen by the Minister of Social Affairs for the evacuation of residents affected by the earthquake was the Taman Asri Village Field in Ampelgading District for the Malang Regency area and the Kaliuling Village Field in the Tempursari District for the Lumajang Regency area.

Because the locations were considered to be still vulnerable, the Social Affairs Minister explained, her party had only built two locations in each regency area from the original plan to establish 13 evacuation posts.

"We checked earlier, the facilities are very adequate, later large tents for sleeping and public kitchens will be equipped. Incidentally, there is close to the village hall and school. So, it is hoped that their daily needs, especially water, will be fulfilled," said Risma.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, asked all residents with worried housing conditions after the earthquake to evacuate to the places that have been provided, bearing in mind the possibility of aftershocks will still occur.

"Earlier, the Minister of Social Affairs had transported them using a police truck to take them to Taman Asri. Then, there were those who were pregnant, elderly, and seriously injured. They were asked to be taken to the Puskesmas,” he admitted.

After all the people had been secured, continued Risma, followed by Muhadjir, only then did they think about the infrastructure.

As for housing repairs, according to him, it will be focused on the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction phase which is part of the task of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR).