President Directs Maximum Earthquake Relief Operations in Bengkulu: BNPB
Bengkulu, Indonesianpost.com – Reported by Antara, The Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General Suharyanto, conveyed President Prabowo Subianto’s directive for an extensive and swift recovery effort following the recent earthquake in Bengkulu Province.
“The president has instructed that disaster management be carried out efficiently to identify the real issues faced by the community,” Suharyanto stated in a release on Tuesday.
Suharyanto visited Bengkulu on Monday, May 26, to assess the impact of the earthquake. The earthquake caused significant damage, with 155 houses affected, 42 of which were severely damaged and had to be demolished. Fortunately, there were no fatalities directly caused by the earthquake, although one person reportedly died of a heart attack unrelated to the disaster.
Suharyanto praised the preparedness and swift response of local authorities, as well as the cooperation from various parties involved in the relief efforts. “I commend the quick response from the provincial government, the Bengkulu City government, the military, the police, and other stakeholders who worked together to assist the community in the aftermath of the disaster,” he remarked.
Read Also: Why Indonesia Should Boycott Israeli Products: A Moral and Strategic Imperative
During the recovery phase, BNPB has set financial assistance for the rehabilitation of affected homes, with Rp60 million (US\$3,500) allocated for severely damaged houses, Rp30 million (US\$1,795) for those with moderate damage, and Rp15 million (US\$897) for homes with minor damage. In addition, the provincial and city governments are also providing support to ensure the smooth reconstruction of these homes. Reconstruction of the severely damaged houses began on Monday.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is also scheduled to visit Bengkulu on Tuesday to inspect the affected areas and engage with local residents.
The earthquake, measuring 6.3 in magnitude, struck Bengkulu on Friday, May 23, at 2:53 AM local time, with the tremors causing widespread damage, particularly in the Rafflesia Housing Complex in Betungan, Bengkulu City. (BL)