JAYAPURA (February 15, 2023) - A series of earthquakes rocked Jayapura, Papua, with varying intensities since Wednesday night (8/2) and peaked on Thursday morning (9/2), brought Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini to fly directly to Jayapura, early Tuesday morning (14/2).

An earthquake measuring 5.4 magnitude last Thursday (9/2), which was triggered by active fault activity, killed four lives and caused at least 1,006 families to be affected or 2,500 people to be displaced.

Minister of Social Affairs Risma was present at Bumi Cenderawasih to ensure that the handling of the impact of the disaster was effective and the survivors received assistance.

Arriving Tuesday morning in Jayapura, the Minister immediately met the heirs of the victims who died at the Regional VI Papua Social Welfare Education and Training Center (BBPPKS) in Jayapura.

"First, I come according to the duties of Ministry of Social Affairs. We must provide compensation for families who died due to the disaster," said the Minister at BBPPKS Papua, Tuesday (9/2).

To the four heirs, the Minister gave compensation of IDR 15 million/person and expressed her deep condolences for the disaster that happened.

"Then, we will help them with basic needs and nutrition. Those who have children, we will try to help them so that their children can receive assistance from the government," she said after handing over the compensation.

Also, at Ministry of Social Affairs’ Training Center in Papua, the Minister checked the disaster aid buffer stock that was ready to be distributed to a number of evacuation camps.

In handling the earthquake disaster in Jayapura, Ministry of Social Affairs through Directorate of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters (PSKBA) has sent emergency logistical assistance consisting of 1,000 packages of children's food, 100 sheets of mattresses, 500 sheets of mattresses, 1,000 packages of adult clothing, 500 packages of kids ware, tents 500 units of rolls, 50 units of multipurpose tents, 150 units of portable family tents, and 5 units of portable toilets.

The goods, said Risma, were sent from the Bekasi Main Warehouse to Jayapura BBPPKS Warehouse, on Saturday (11/2) by plane. "The distribution is carried out in stages, phase I and phase II. Both are distributed from the Jayapura BBPPKS Warehouse to evacuation camps," she said.


Moving on from BBPPKS, the Minister visited Port Numbay Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in Jayapura, Papua.

Here, together with the Head of GKI Port Numbay Pdt. Andris Tjoe. M. T. and Chairman of the Synod Rev. Andrikus Mofu. M. T., Risma listened carefully to the aspirations of the church congregation affected by the earthquake.

Risma also responded seriously to the congregation's request for special family tents. She also instructed her staff to send logistical assistance to set up tents and a public kitchen at the GKI Port Numbay, South Jayapura, right away.

The Minister even practiced the method of setting up the family tents, which was witnessed by the congregants. "This is learning by doing. They asked for tents, we immediately gave them, we set them up, it's not difficult to set up, I'll send 10 (tent units), you can use them all," said Risma.

Risma also handed over emergency logistical assistance for the Jayapura earthquake in the form of 1 unit of multipurpose tent, 10 units of family tents, 100 sheets of mattresses, 120 sheets of blankets and 4 sets of public kitchen equipment through GKI Port Numbay, South Jayapura.

Menurutnya, pelibatan gereja dan jemaatnya ini merupakan salah satu upaya percepatan penanganan bencana. "Kalau gereja punya kekuatan untuk menggerakkan masyarakat, kita lebih mudah (menangani bencana). Tidak bisa semuanya kami, Kemensos, kerjakan sendiri. Karena itu, kami menggandeng seluruh pihak, termasuk gereja, saat ini," kata Risma menekankan.

According to him, the involvement of the church and its congregation is one of the efforts to accelerate disaster management. "If the church has the power to mobilize the community, it will be easier for us (to deal with disasters). As we cannot do everything ourselves. Therefore, we are collaborating with all parties, including the church," said Risma.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs RI