Twelve Thousand Refugees in Manokwari
Tuesday, 06 January, 2009 | 21:06 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jayapura:West Papua governor, Abraham Octovianus Atururi, said there were an estimated 12.000 people who have been displaced by the earthquake in his region. The refugees are spread in 17 points in Manokwari. "Due to the earthquake, hundreds of homes and buildings have been damaged, seven bridges collapsed and two roads are broken," he said yesterday.

The governor has met and coordinated with three cabinet ministers sent by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take emergency action in West Papua. Along with the three ministers -- the ministers of Public Works, Transportation and Social Affairs, emergency assistance is also being distributed.

The ministers left for Manokwari on an Indonesian Air Force plane after a stop-over in Biak. Following a meeting with local officials, the group visited some damaged buildings in the northern coast, before heading for the Kaokorem district.

So far, the Social Department has distributed Rp1 billion and one car for operations. The departments of Public Works, Health, and Transportation have each provided Rp500 million in assistance, in addition to the two tons of medicine.

Until yesterday afternoon, some residents said they were still worried about returning to their homes. "They still fear another earthquake," said Marten, a Manokwari resident. According to him, food and other supplies were distributed not long after the big earthquake struck last Sunday morning.

Jayapura Meteorology & Geophysics Agency (BMG) chief, Ahmad Mujahidin, said that until yesterday, there have been at least 842 follow-up tremors which are expected to continue through next week.

CUNDING LEVI | TJAHJONO EP | TOMI