VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The European Union (EU) has provided 500,000 euros, or about Rp8.5 billion, in emergency aid for victims of the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck West Sulawesi province on January 15, 2021.

“The aid is a form of European Union’s solidarity to Indonesia over the large number of quake victims. Our close relations encourage us to lend a hand," European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Vincent Pike, said in a written statement released on Thursday.

About 300,000 euros of the aid has been channeled through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and 200,000 euros through the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).

The aid will be disbursed to around 24 thousand people in several quake-hit areas in the districts of Majene, Mauju, and Polewali Mandar to meet their needs.

The distribution of aid will involve the humanitarian institutions of Masehi Advent Hari Ketujuh Church, Adventis Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The aid will be dispensed in the form of cash, emergency home utensils, health equipment, clean water supplies, and other emergency needs.

The European Union will also provide training to local people about ways to rebuild earthquake-resistant homes. Special attention will also be given to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups including female-headed households and people with disabilities.

A 6.2-magnitude quake struck several areas in West Sulawesi early on January 15, 2021. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the quake was centered six kilometers northeast of Majene.

As of Thursday morning, 91 people have lost their lives and 9,910 others have taken refuge, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

The West Sulawesi provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response status for the earthquake until January 28, 2021. (antaranews)