Jakarta (ANTARA) – Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian urged local governments to continuously update data on houses and buildings damaged by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to accelerate post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
In a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, he assured the public that the government would oversee the process through to completion to help affected communities recover.
The data covers the condition of homes, buildings, schools, places of worship, and healthcare facilities.
Tito made the remarks following an inspection of the Tectonic Earthquake Emergency Response Command Post managed by the Sikka District Government in NTT.
The minister praised the command post’s management for maintaining comprehensive and detailed data.
The records include the distribution of evacuation sites, the number of evacuees at each location, the latest situation updates, incoming and outgoing aid, and community needs across villages and sub-districts, including those on small islands.
Tito also urged local governments to remain on high alert, as the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has predicted that aftershocks could continue across Flores Island for two weeks to a month.
He therefore cautioned local authorities against forcing residents who are sleeping in tents or staying in safe areas to return to their homes.
“Do not force people to sleep inside. If they prefer to stay outside, in tents, or in safe locations, let them. Do not force them. In the meantime, ensure that they are provided with food, drinking water, and other basic necessities,” he said.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck NTT on Saturday morning, August 15, prompting the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to issue a tsunami warning that was later lifted.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as of Thursday, August 20, the death toll had reached 75.
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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