Social Ministry to Relocate Homes Prone to Disasters in Java

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa plans to relocate residents living in areas prone to natural disasters, namely floods and landslides. “To avoid casualties,” Khofifah said in a press statement after observing a location hit by disaster in Purworejo, Central Java, Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

Khofifah said that her ministry, together with local governments, are mulling planned relocation of 19 homes in Purworejo to a safer settlement. “[Social Ministry] is communicating with local governments to soon exercise an option for relocation,” she said.

Houses in other regions such as Banjarnegara, Central Java, and Subang, West Java, will soon be relocated to safer areas. “It’s the government’s effort to save residents and avoid casualties as well as other losses,” she noted.

According to Khofifah, her ministry will also provide donations for residents who lost their family members from natural disasters in the form of Bantuan Santunan Kematian (BSK), or compensation for death, of Rp15 million. Injured victims will also be given donations with different amount.

Meanwhile, to meet the disaster victims need for food, Khofifah has called on regional heads to use government rice reserve starting from 100 tons to 200 tons. “If it’s not sufficient, there are [another] 200 tons overseen by Social Ministry,” Khofifah said.

For long term solution, Social Ministry will also develop and increase the number of Kampung Siaga Bencana (KSB), or disaster-ready villages. KSBs are aimed at preparing residents in disaster-prone areas to face natural disasters.

ANGELA ANJAR SAWITRI