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Fire victims in East Jakarta wish to rebuild their houses
A fire incident in Cipinang, East Jakarta, on Saturday has displaced 147 people and forced them to live in tents.
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Cipinang fire victims in a tent erected in the yard of SD South Cipinang Besar 03/04 state elementary school. (kompas.com/Cyinthia Lova)
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fire that razed 30 houses in Cipinang, East Jakarta, on Saturday has displaced 147 people and forced them to find shelter in a disaster post in the yard of SD South Cipinang Besar 03/04 state elementary school.
As many as 47 families are now living in three tents provided by the city administration.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan promised to ensure that all the victims’ needs would always be fulfilled such as food, clothing and medical facilities.
“Health facilities and all basic necessities are covered. Food is provided all day. The children are currently still on their holiday, but we have started preparing their school supplies,” Anies said on Sunday as quoted by kompas.com.
The police are still investigating the cause of the fire. According to Anies, many fires in the past were caused by electrical short circuits.
In order to prevent more fires in the future, he instructed people to regularly check electricity installations, especially those located in densely populated residential areas.
“Now we are conducting an operation to check electricity channels. In all kampungs, we will inspect whether there are any risky electricity networks,” he said.
The city administration reportedly gave a total of Rp 50 million (US$3,500) to the victims to rebuild their houses.
Community unit (RW) 07 head Masfur said the money would be divided equally between the 47 families.
“The Rp 50 million is for all of the affected families, not per family. Whether or not there will be more aid, I don’t really know when,” he said.
“I really wish our houses can be rebuilt, so that the buildings will be better and tidier. We used to have messy cables [in the residential area], maybe the new buildings could be better,” Masfur added.
Another resident, Tini, said that she and all other victims could only rely on the help of the city administration.
“I give it all to Allah. I’m not sure about the future. I can only wish there will be enough aid to slowly rebuild my house,” she said. (vla)
