Govt to disburse Rp 500b for reconstruction of Wasior, Mentawai

Erwida Maulia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 11/22/2010 8:19 PM

The government will disburse a total of Rp 509 billion (approximately US$57 million) for rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in disaster-struck Wasior in West Papua and the Mentawai archipelago in West Sumatra.

Secretary to the Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Indroyono Soesilo said Monday the government would allocate Rp 141 billion for Wasior and Rp 368 billion for Mentawai. Wasior is recovering from a crippling flash flood, while the Mentawai Islands are dealing with the impacts of a powerful tsunami. Both disasters occurred last month.

“The funds will come from the state and regional budgets. We will start to move on January 1,” Indroyono said after a Cabinet meeting at the Vice Presidential Office held to discuss disaster relief in Wasior, Mentawai and around Mount Merapi.

The total estimated financial losses caused by the flash flood in Wasior and the tsunami in Mentawai were Rp 280 billion and Rp 315 billion, respectively, he added.

Rehabilitation and reconstruction activities include the construction of temporary housing, basic infrastructure and restoring economic and social activities, Indroyono said.

Financial losses and rehabilitation and reconstruction needs for areas around Mount Merapi could not yet be estimated because the volcano was still erupting, he said.