Govt Begins Reconstruction Program in Quake-hit West Sumatra

The government on Sunday kicked off a reconstruction program in quake-affected West Sumatra province, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Syamsul Maarif said.

“Today we started the reconstruction process but not with direct reconstruction activities because the verification (of damaged buildings) has not been completed,” he said.

Neither had reconstruction funds from the government been disbursed, he said.

“We have proposed reconstruction funds but the funds have not been disbursed pending a seal of approval from the House of Representatives,” he said.

An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale devastated West Sumatra on September 30, killing more than 1,100 people.

BNPB data show 65,380 houses were seriously damaged and 78,604 others lightly in the quake.

The quake also caused major damage to 2,164 school buildings, 254 office buildings, 1,003 places of worship and 51 health facilities.

Source: Antara