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VP praises NTB authorities for quick response to flooding
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Showing solidarity -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla (center) talks with flooding victims taking refuge in a temporary shelter in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday. (Courtesy of the Vice President Office/File)
V
ice President Jusuf Kalla expressed appreciation for related authorities for having been responsive and acting collaboratively in handling victims of a massive flooding in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
“There is a lesson we can take from this incident. It has taught us that as a human beings, we should always be patient. This disaster has cultivated a spirit of gotong-royong [mutual cooperation] among us,” said Kalla during a meeting at the Bima mayor's office on Wednesday.
The parties involved in the disaster mitigation efforts include NTB and Bima administrations, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the NTB Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Military and the National Police.
Kalla called for accelerated and collaborative efforts in supporting recovery conditions after a massive flooding in Bima.
“The faster the disaster handling efforts are conducted, the better the condition will be. If the response runs slowly, there will be more victims and wider damages in infrastructure. We need to work quickly. Otherwise, thick mud covering certain areas will harden and become more difficult for us to clean off.”
The Vice President asserted that recovery efforts must be conducted jointly and involve all governmental organizations.
The availability of emergency relief and clean water for Bima residents has also been highlighted in the meeting.
Kalla arrived at Sultan Salahuddin Airport in Bima at 10:15 a.m. local time and led the coordination meeting, which included Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa, NTB Governor M. Zainul Majdi and Bima Mayor Muhammad Qurais H. Abidin, among others. (ebf)
