VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) will hold a fundraiser to help victims of the Maluku earthquake during the commemoration of Disaster Risk Reduction Month (PRB) in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung’s provincial capital, on Sunday night.

"The quakes in Maluka have shown no signs of abating. Of course, the local people must be traumatized by the vibration of the natural disaster," BNPB Head Lt Gen. Doni Monardo stated in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung, on Sunday.

Monardo is optimistic that participants of the Disaster Risk Reduction Month would help assuage the financial burden of the Ambon quake victims.

"I hope that the participants of PRB, who will return to their hometowns this afternoon or this evening, will set aside a sum of money to help alleviate the financial burden of the Maluku quake victims," he remarked.

"Let us show that Indonesia has a high spirit of mutual help to assist our brothers, who fall victim to the natural disaster," he noted.

Ambon, the capital of Maluku Province, had borne the brunt of a 6.5-magnitude quake on Sept. 26. The epicenter of the quake was located 40 kilometers (km) northeast of Ambon, at a depth of 10 km below sea level.

At least 36 people were killed, while tens of others suffered injuries owing to the Sept-26 quake.

The quake also destroyed 6,184 houses in Maluku Tengah District. (ANTARA)