President Emphasizes Four Keys Handle Sinabung Refugee

Tana Karo (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono laid emphasis on four key points that had to be given top priority while handling the refugees of the Mount Sinabung eruptions.

"We assure that we handle the case correctly. The district and provincial governments should be backed by the central government. Lives must be given top priority. Damaged houses can be replaced, though the lives lost cannot. So, all efforts must be made to safeguard our brothers," the President stated, after being briefed by North Sumatra Governor Gatot Pudjobroto about the Mount Sinabung rescue and relief operations on Thursday.

The President noted that priority should also be given to improve facilities at the refugee camps. "We have to provide good services such as food, clean water, and medical facilities to the refugees in the makeshift shelters," the President pointed out.

The third aspect that garnered significant attention of the President was the livelihood of the local people, including the damage caused to the agricultural areas of the local farmers as a result of the Mount Sinabung eruptions.

According to Yudhoyono, the other point that needed attention was the correct handling of the locals' relocation. (DWA)