Rp 2.6t for 2009 Padang quake: BNPB

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) says it has disbursed a total of Rp 2.6 trillion (US$304.2 million) to rebuild Padang, West Sumatra, after 7.9-magnitude struck in 2009.

The agency’s deputy for rehabilitation and reconstruction, Bambang Sulistiyanto, told a press conference on Wednesday that the funds had been disbursed in stages to build homes and roads and support economic activities in the region.

“First, we disbursed Rp 313.9 billion for socio-economic support, including for agriculture, animal farming, cooperatives and healthcare, followed by Rp 2 trillion for special housing needs and [another] Rp 300 billion, also for special housing needs,” Bambang said, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

An additional Rp 52 billion was spent on road projects. “Otherwise Padang would have been isolated, with the road connecting Solok and Bukittinggi being cut … The rest was for building homes, too,” Bambang added.

Almost 1,200 people died when West Sumatra was struck by 7.9-magnitude earthquake on Sep. 30, 2009, causing significant damage to the provincial capital of Padang.