Indonesian President orders relief aid for earthquake victims

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo on July 29 issued an order to deliver relief aid for people in areas hit by strong earthquake in Lombok resort island in West Nusa Tenggara province.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), 14 people were reported dead and 162 injured from impact of the 6.4-magnitude earthquake and aftershocks. Around 1,000 houses were damaged in the disaster.

A presidential aide said that the order was issued shortly after the president landed in the West Nusa Tenggara’s airport.

In a meeting after his landing, the president ordered the BNPB head, Social and Public Works ministers, and military commanders to immediately deliver relief aid for people affected by the strong earthquake and aftershocks.

"We expect that deliverance of relief aids can be organized this afternoon or tomorrow morning. All elements from the central, provincial and regency governments and related institutions can move together," the order stated.

President Widodo is scheduled to visit locals in affected areas on July 30.

The Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that some 133 aftershocks with a magnitude of 5.7 occurred after the earthquake. Head of the agency called on the residents to remain vigilant on possible more aftershocks which she said to come with lower magnitude.-VNA