West Pasaman Refugees Return Home as Conditions Improve Post-Earthquake

JAKARTADAILY.ID - Dozens of refugees who were victims of the earthquake on Monday, February 28, 2022, began to leave the yard of the Regent's office of West Pasaman, West Sumatra, which is presently being used as the main evacuation site.

Among the dozens who decided to return to their respective homes were residents of Pinaga Village, Pasaman District, West Pasaman Regency.

"Because the conditions are starting to improve, we chose to return home from the evacuation site, there are more than 20 residents who returned today," said one resident, Ajek (45), at Simpang Empat, Monday.

According to his statement, if he returned home, he and other residents could at least carry out post-earthquake activities, such as cleaning and securing the house, seeing the fields, and others.

"Residents who came home this morning, the damage to their houses was not serious, so they dared to go home. Hopefully, it can reduce the burden in the refugee camps," he said, quoted by Pikiran-Rakyat.com from Antara.

However, residents who return home still anticipate unpredictable aftershocks, namely by setting up tents in front of their homes.

"So, to protect ourselves, we will set up a tent in front of the house, sleep there at night to anticipate aftershocks," said another resident, Isral (56).

Isral returned home by riding a truck belonging to one of the residents to lift the goods that were previously taken to the evacuation site.

He, who also brought eight members of his family, said that three days in the refugee camp was enough for him to get through the emergency period.

However, it is still hoped that residents will receive logistical assistance and food ingredients when they return home.

However, thousands of other refugees still survive in the refugee camps in the yard of the West Pasaman Regent's Office as the main point of evacuation.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), through a written statement, announced the increase in the number of people who died due to the 6.1 magnitude earthquake in West Sumatra to 11 people on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

BNPB said one victim of the earthquake was found again by the joint SAR team.

As for the details of the victims of the earthquake, as many as five people in West Pasaman Regency and six in Pasaman Regency were reported dead.