VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The government will deliver food and water aid in large quantities to Palu to assist earthquake and tsunami victims in Central Sulawesi, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"We will dispatch as much food assistance as possible aboard the Hercules aircraft today," the president stated after attending a ceremony held to observe Pancasila Sanctity Day in Jakarta on Monday.

He remarked that the assistance will be delivered directly aboard several aircraft. There are also deliveries from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The president noted that the food is delivered in large quantities following complaints and problems faced, such as food shortages.

Jokowi stated that fuel oil (BBM) was also expected to start entering Palu using special fuel aircraft.

The head of state explained that basic matters, such as victim evacuation, delivery of aid needed by the victims, and electricity supply, must be handled quickly.

"I think these problems must be handled soon before we tackle the second phase of disaster response," he remarked.

He said the provision of food is a problem, as the shops were closed. Water supply is also an issue due to electricity outage.

"There is no electricity supply since of the seven existing power substations, only two could operate, while five are having problems. This must be restored, but it could not done in a short time," he noted.

Jokowi has ordered the provision of a mobile electrical substation to ensure the availability of electricity and restoration of clean water supply.

Speaking in connection with cases of food being pilfered from stores by residents, the president said he had not seen such an incident on the field, as shops were closed.

"May be there are one or two incidents (of looting). It is necessary to help victims in need," he noted.

The president called for mutual assistance in a disaster emergency scenario.

"Do not force things that are not really a basic problem," President Jokowi pointed out.

Meanwhile, the Media and Press Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat informed that on Monday, the president`s assistance will be sent to Palu via the Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base. Assistance will depart at around 10:30 Western Indonesia Standard Time. (ANTARA)