TERNATE (September 21, 2024) - Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has sent logistical aid to the earthquake victims on Morotai Island. The help was dispatched from the logistics warehouse at the MoSA Technical Implementation Unit, Wasana Bahagia Center in Ternate on Friday night (20/9). This maritime consignment is slated to arrive on Saturday afternoon (21/9).


The aid consists of 1,000 ready-to-eat meal packages, 800 children’s meal packages, 150 mattresses, 200 blankets, 200 family kits, 200 children’s clothing packages, and 200 adult clothing packages. Furthermore, MoSA offered 100 roll-up tents, 30 family tents, and four multifunctional tents.

 

“This assistance can cover approximately 250 households affected by the disaster,” said Masryani Mansyur, Acting Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Affected People in Jakarta on Friday (20/9).


This support not only helps victims but also serves as a buffer stock for Morotai Island's Social Office, filling two social granaries on the island.


According to Masryani, the prompt delivery of this help is consistent with directives from the Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, who emphasized MoSA's presence in the community.


Masryani also stated that the situation in Morotai is reasonably safe, however the community is still concerned about aftershocks. “Today alone, there have already been eight aftershocks, though their intensity has not been high,” she said. 


Masryani noted that MoSA has not yet set up evacuation tents, as most people seek safety in relatives' homes or rooms considered safe to inhabit. However, MoSA is on standby with tents as a precaution.


The earthquake, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, shook the Morotai Islands region on Thursday, September 19, 2024, causing minor and severe damage to several houses.


The Disaster Response Volunteer (Tagana) from the Ministry of Social Affairs arrived on-site shortly after the incident to assist with evacuations and examine the situation.


Morotai Island is one of Indonesia's northernmost islands, located around 300 kilometers from Ternate, the capital of North Maluku. MoSA logistical aid was transported via sea and land, first by ferry from Ternate to Sofifi on Halmahera Island, then by land to Tobelo, and finally by boat to Morotai Island.