BNPB Allocates Rp1 Trillion To Build Disaster Shelter

Jakarta, Feb 5 (Antara) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has allocated Rp1 trillion to build four disaster shelters this year. BNPB chairman Syamsul Maarif said that the allocation will not only be for building new shelters, but also to strengthen the old shelters, including places of worship. Rp400 billion from the allocation will be prioritized to build a shelter for displaced victims in Padang. "Local governments ask that the places of worship be used as a shelter," he said. He said that the shelters will have to be redesigned in most cases to ensure that ready to host victims of common natural disasters in the region. In Padang, for example, it is estimated that the height of a potential tsunami could reach 12 meters, thus, shelters in that region would have to be at least 15 meters high. Renovating old shelters would include health and restroom services to ensure the proper functioning of a society. Maarif has indicated that forms of vandalism or even the destruction of emergency facilities are still very common and something needs to be done. The BNPB will be looking at the safety and maintenance of such facilities in order for it to be utilized immediately when disaster strikes.