Govt to make reconstruction blueprints for disaster-hit regions

Antara News, Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government will draw up blueprints for the reconstruction of the disaster-hit regions of Wasior, Mount Merapi and Mentawai islands, a coordinating minister has said.

"We anticipate that funding for the reconstruction of the areas hit by natural disasters will come from various sources, both internal and from foreign assistance," Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said, here on Tuesday.

The minister said the government would prepare the blueprints for the reconstruction works in those areas very soon, something that he expects the public will support because the project will not be workable without the expected support and assistance.

He revealed that the Indonesia government had been notified of expression for support from friendly countries to help with the reconstruction works in the disaster-hit regions. "We appreciate the support and pledges of assistance from those countries," Agung said.

Agung also said the government would also like to say thanks for the assistance and contributions given by various elements of Indonesian society to the disaster mitigation efforts in the disaster-hit regions.

Wasior in West Papua was devastated by a giant flash flood that killed more than 160 people on October 4, 2010.

On October 25, a tsunami triggered by a magnitude-7.7 earthquake engulfed the Mentawai islands off the coast of West Sumatra killing 430 people and making some 15,000 people homeless.

Mount Merapi in Magelang district, Central Java, erupted five times since October 26, spewing hot clouds 1.5 km into the air and sending lava down its many slopes. The lives of 39 people were lost, and the homes of about 70,000 others were destroyed.