VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia is in grief again. A tectonic earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter Scale shook Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi on Friday, September 28, 2018 at around 17.02 WIB. This earthquake caused a tsunami that hit Palu and Donggala. The earthquake with tsunami left more than 830 people dead and hundreds more injured. This disaster is one of the most tragic tragedies in the history of Indonesia. The central government immediately assisted local governments in Palu and Donggala, Central Sulawesi to deal with earthquake and tsunami affected the victims. This is needed considering that the disaster causes significant infrastructure destruction and hampers the distribution process. President Joko Widodo came directly on the hit locations to monitor the current situation at several points affected by the disaster, including the evacuation posts and hospitals. The earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Palu and Donggala become the world's spotlight. Some foreign media highlighted how the tsunami in Palu and Donggala occurred dramatically. Meanwhile, other media reported that the death toll was estimated, at least, 1,000 and more than 800 bodies had been found in Palu, not including in Donggala area and others that are difficult to access. Among the victims, there are 71 foreign nationals who are casualties of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu City and Donggala Regency. Some foreigners are still unknown. Head of the Data, Information and Public Relations Center of the National Disaster Mitigation  Agency -BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that most of the foreigners in Central Sulawesi during the earthquake in Palu and Donggala were reported to be safe. Some foreign tourists have also been evacuated to Jakarta. The grief of Palu and Donggala is the sorrow of not only the people of Central Sulawesi Province, but also all Indonesian nation and the world. Expression of sympathy and sorrow over the disasters that struck Palu and Donggala, even offers of humanitarian assistance from various circles and friendly countries begin to arrive. The European Union, for example, will distribute emergency assistance amounting to 1.5 million Euros or Rp25.97 billion for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu and Donggala. In addition, the United States and China also offers assistance to the Indonesian government. The earthquake and tsunami in Palu and Donggala should further strengthen the brotherhood. Amidst the political temperature that is starting to heat up ahead of the legislative general elections and 2019 Presidential Elections, the Indonesian nation should be increasingly united by helping each other who are in trouble. Because the grief of Palu and Donggala is the grief for all.