TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Residents of Cugenang sub-district in West Java's Cianjur district who were affected by the November 21, 2022 earthquake could be relocated to their new homes before Eid al-Fitr or April 2023, stated Cianjur district head Herman Suherman.

While housing construction has continued, the district authority is waiting for data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on the names of residents who will be relocated to Cilaku sub-district, informed Suherman on Tuesday.

"We are still waiting for the repeat verification data performed by the BNPB on residents that will move into the new homes," the district head added.

At least 85 out of the 200 homes allocated for Cugenang residents in Cilaku sub-district are ready to be handed over to recipients, he said, while expressing the hope that residents would soon move into their new homes.

Meanwhile, Suherman confirmed that the government is ready to provide assistance and disburse Rp350,000–Rp500,000 (US$22.4-32) in cash subsidy to non-productive residents once every three months for a year.

"Productive-age residents will receive training to help them become new MSME entrepreneurs, consistent with the Cianjur authority's target to create thousands of new entrepreneurs," he said.

The government will also assist residents who want to establish new businesses once they relocate to their new homes, he added.

"Residents who are active in farming will receive a land plot close to their new home, hence, they could resume working according to their expertise after moving in," the district head informed.

The Cianjur district authority has reported that the November 21 earthquake claimed 635 lives. Further, the 5.6-magnitude earthquake caused minor damage to 26,586 houses, moderate damage to 16,068 houses, and major damage to 13,633 houses.

The national Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has urged the authority to relocate residents away from areas considered vulnerable during earthquakes due to their proximity to the 9-kilometer-long Cugenang fault.

ANTARA

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