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Jakarta Post

Govt mulls extending emergency-response period in Aceh

Moses Ompusunggu (The Jakarta Post)
Pidie, Aceh
Sat, December 10, 2016

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Govt mulls extending emergency-response period in Aceh Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa attends a hearing at the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Sept.1. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)

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ocial Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa said on Saturday that the government was considering extending the emergency-response period in regions in Aceh rattled by Wednesday’s massive tremor that caused hundreds of casualties and devastated thousands of buildings.

Khofifah said the emergency-response period, which was initially set for 14 days from Dec. 7 to Dec. 20 by the Aceh administration, was likely to be extended until Dec. 29, citing safety concerns for residents who took refuge following the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that hit the southeastern part of Aceh on Wednesday morning.

"There are a lot of houses damaged after the earthquake. It is dangerous for them [survivors] to return to their respective homes," Khofifah told reporters when visiting a number of houses damaged by the tremor in Jeumeurang village in Pidie regency in Aceh.

The extension plan was discussed in a coordination meeting between ministers in Sigli in Pidie on Friday evening, Khofifah said.

Khofifah said a prolonged emergency-response period would also give time for the government to thoroughly map what buildings in the regencies affected by the quake--Pidie Jaya, Pidie and Bireun-- needed rebuilding, a task managed by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry.

Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) showed that, as of Friday, at least 10,534 houses were damaged, 2,015 of which were severely damaged, while 105 shop units as well as a number of school buildings collapsed in the aftermath of the quake.

As of Saturday, there were 101 deaths reported and 43,000 residents taking refuge in a number of shelters, BNPB data revealed. (evi)

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