Catholic groups mobilise to help quake victims in Cianjur (VIDEOS)
So far, 268 people have died, more than 150 are missing, and more than a thousand are injured. Some 56,362 people have been displaced. Rescue operations continue with temporary shelters, soup kitchens and field hospitals set up. Prominent Catholics stress the need to rebuild with earthquake-proof technology.
Cianjur (AsiaNews) – Following the earthquake that struck Cianjur, a district in West Java province, on Monday, several Catholic humanitarian groups have mobilised to provide aid to the victims.
So far, the death toll stands 268, with more than 150 people missing, and over a thousand injured. At least 6,570, homes were destroyed or suffered serious damage with some 56,362 people now displaced.
Today, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)[*] confirmed that 12 subdistricts are most severely affected: Cianjur, Karang Tengah, Warung Kondang, Cugenang, Cilaku, Cibeber, Sukaresmi, Bojong Picung, Cikalong Kulon, Sukaluyu, Pacet and Gekbrong.
Sarampad, a village in Cugenang subdistrict, suffered the most damage; in a few minutes , hundreds of houses collapsed. All access roads have been cut off.
“Caritas and the Indonesian Bishops' Conference have set several food distribution points," the agency said in a statement.
The Karsa Cipta Asa Foundation (YKCA),[†] the diocesan branch of Caritas in Bogor, the diocesan Business Association (Pukat Bogor), Cianjur parish church and its youth groups joined the efforts to bring aid.
Field hospitals have been set up and soup kitchens are offering chicken soup, while those affected are housed in temporary shelters.
A fundraiser has started to pay for the repairs needed by the Mardi Yuana Catholic school, which various levels, from kindergarten to high school.
“The school, which belongs to the foundation of the Diocese of Bogor, has thousands of pupils with at least 65 teachers and staff,” said Agus Supriyanto, a teacher who spoke to AsiaNews.
The campus suffered serious damage in some sections, so did the church, dedicated to Saint Peter. Its “roof and the air conditioning were damaged, while a wall in the rectory cracked,” said Spuri, the church custodian.
Several prominent Catholics stressed the need to rebuild with earthquake-proof technology.
Meanwhile, the government has announced financial aid worth of 50 million Indonesian rupiahs (US$ 3,200) for each home that was destroyed, 25 million (US$ 1,600) for those that were seriously damaged, and 10 million (US$ 640) for those that were slightly damaged.
[*] Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana.
[†] Yayasan Karsa Cipta Asa.
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