Bird Flu: National Disaster
Thursday, 01 February, 2007 | 15:25 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government will soon classify the bird flu epidemic as a national disaster.

“The President has already given an indication that this is a national disaster, one that we must handle comprehensively,” said Paskah Suzetta, State Minister for National Development Planning and concurrently Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bapenas), at the Finance Department building, Jakarta, yesterday (31/1).

Paskah explained that bird flu is to be classifies as a national disaster because it is a contagious disease that easily spreads to many areas and there have already been too many victims.

With this classification, the handling of the situation by the central government, regional governments and members of the public will be more integrated.

“So management of the situation will no longer be on an ad hoc basis anymore.”

Before bird flu epidemic is officially classified as a national disaster, Paskah said that management was regional governments’ responsibility so regulations are various.

In the future, the central government’s duty is to help regional governments.

Removal of animal husbandry and elimination of poultry will be still regional governments’ responsibilities.

Via the Health Department, the central government will provide direction and medical facilities.

Soetedjo Yuwono, Secretary to the Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare, confirmed that the President will issue a special instruction on bird flu management.

According to him, classifying the status of bird flu as a national disaster in fact must be studied thoroughly in order to avoid any overreacting by the public.

“Just wait for a day or two, it may be issued,” he said.

Up until January 29, this year, according to the Health Department, in Indonesia the total number of people suffering from bird flu has been 82, of whom 64 of them died.

There have been deaths in Jakarta (18), Banten (10), West Java (21), Central Java (5), East Java (3), North Sumatra (6) and South Sulawesi (1).

Paskah explained that funds for bird flu management were from the State Budget allocation for disasters.

“The actual amount is still being calculated,” said this Golkar Party politician.

For certain, the amount of funds will be higher than at present.

Agus Supriyanto, Kurniasih Budi, Ewo Raswa, Jopbie Sugiharto and Suryani Ika Sari