|
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan
Displaced earthquake victims in North Sumatra's Mandailing Natal regency began
to trickle home Thursday, four days after the Monday disaster killed four people
and damaged or destroyed more than 800 houses. Most people returning Muara
Sipongi district are those whose houses are still largely intact, while many
others are still camping out in makeshift shelters. Pasar Singo village resident
Yudha Siregar is one of the lucky ones -- his house and family were not damaged
by the tremors. "On the first day after the disaster, we were still scared but
not any more, especially since the regency administration has advised people to
return home," the 43-year-old said Thursday. However, the coordinator at a
volunteer disaster relief post in the regency, Timbul Panggabean, said Thursday
only small numbers of quake victims were returning home. Timbul said the Bandar
Panjang Tuo and Aek Botong villages were still completely abandoned by residents
as most houses were damaged when the quake struck. Based on Mandailing Natal
regency data, 727 of 6,157 people went home Thursday. North Sumatra provincial
administration spokesman, Addy Sofyan said 5,430 displaced people were still
living in shelters in the Panyabungan, Kota Nopan and Rao districts. "All
victims are being monitored by the provincial government and will remain so
until they all return home," Addy said. The administration was telling victims
to return home because the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said there would be
no more dangerous aftershocks, he said. Blocked roads to isolated areas had now
been opened, he said, making it easier for aid to get to badly hit areas.
Damaged houses would be repaired after the social services office took stock of
the problem and registered homeowners, Addy said. The central government has
promised to provide families Rp 10 million (US$1,086) assistance for each
damaged house. "Data we received from the Mandailing Natal regency
administration showed the quake has badly damaged 726 houses and lightly damaged
121 others. This data will be rechecked by the social services office team
before the assistance is distributed." The work is expected to be completed this
week. Addy said the administration was told the central government would
allocate Rp 9 billion next year to relocate affected residents and repair
damaged houses in Muara Sipongi. "We don't know when the repair work will begin,
but we plan for it to be completed in the next five months," he said.
|
