Ministry of Social Affairs Completes 24.3 Billion Heirs Compensation for Central Sulawesi Tsunami Victims

PALU (September 19, 2020) - The distribution of compensation for the heirs of the deceased indicates that the distribution of compensation from the Ministry of Social Affairs for handling the disaster of tsunami Central Sulawesi has been completed the tsunami Central Sulawesi (Sulteng).

In this last stage of distribution, the Ministry of Social Affairs handed over compensation worth 24.3 billion rupiah to 1,620 heirs of the deceased victims with a value of 15 million rupiahs each. 

Representing the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara, Head of the Sub-directorate (Kasubdit) for Handling Natural Disaster Victims, Sunarti, symbolically handed over compensation to the Governor of Central Sulawesi, Longki Djanggola, at the Central Sulawesi Governor's Office, Friday (18/9).

"In 2020, based on the proposal from the Regional Leaders of each Regency/City affected by natural disasters in Central Sulawesi Province, we have completed the last stage of heirs compensation for 1,620 people with a value of 24.3 billion rupiahs," said Sunarti after handing over the aid.

This compensation, he continued, complements the compensation that we have previously given to 1,906 people in 2019.

The compensation was distributed to 1,620 people from four regencies/cities with details of Palu City as many as 1,324 people, Sigi Regency 90 people, Donggala Regency 158 people, and Parigi Moutong Regency 48 people. 

In the previous stage, the Ministry of Social Affairs had distributed compensation for heirs worth 28.6 billion rupiah to 1,906 heirs of the victims who died as a result of the tsunami Central Sulawesi that occurred on September 28, 2018. So, until now, the Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed heir compensation to 3,526 people with a total value of 52.9 billion rupiahs.

The distribution of this compensation begins with the data collection process carried out by each Regency/City Government. "We can only complete the compensation for the heirs this year because we are waiting for the data collection from the Regency / City Government, but thankfully today it can be completed," added Sunarti.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Sulawesi, Longki Djanggola, expressed his gratitude for the attention given by the central government. Even so, his party still hopes for additional assistance if new data is proposed.

"I would like to thank the Ministry of Social Affairs for accepting the rest of the second phase. However, I still hope that if in the future there is still more data coming in, we will continue to propose it, as long as the data is accurate," said the Governor when giving a speech.

Koni Ahmad (64), one of the recipients of the compensation said that he was grateful to get this assistance. According to him, the assistance can support his life, which has been lacking in income for the past two years.

"Thank God for this help, it might be useful for me because I don't have anything, it's finished, I have been jobless for 2 years, my shop is all gone, there's nothing left, my wife died," Koni admitted.

its two years ago, natural disasters in the form of earthquakes, tsunamis and liquefaction in Central Sulawesi Province resulted in thousands of deaths and damage to residential houses and other public facilities. 

During the disaster management phase, the Ministry of Social Affairs immediately distributed logistics for the basic needs of disaster victims. The Ministry of Social Affairs also mobilized thousands of Disaster Preparedness Cadre (Tagana) personnel to carry out the tasks of establishing a post, supporting public kitchens, and providing psychosocial support services.