Government Prioritizes Search For Aceh Quake Victims

Jakarta, July 10 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said the government would prioritize the search for Aceh earthquake victims and the management of displaced persons in the disaster emergency response. "Searching for 6 people who remain missing and providing the best possible service to the displaced persons in makeshift tents are our priority," President Yudhoyono said on his Twitter account @SBYudhoyono on Wednesday. In the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several cabinet ministers, the head of state visited the quake victims at Ketol sub-district in Central Aceh district on Tuesday for a dialog with them. "We will continue to make the post disaster management for the victims," the president said, adding that during a meeting in Jakarta a day before he left for Aceh, it was decided that the government would provide financial assistance for the quake victims and renovate the damaged houses. During the visit to the quake victims, the head of state asked them to remain calm and patient in face of the disaster that may happen anytime without warning. President Yudhoyono said he had instructed the national Search and Rescue Board, the National Defense Forces and the National Police to continue to search for other missing victims in Central Aceh district. At least 40 people were killed after the earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale rocked the two districts on July 2. Meanwhile, Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah earlier said that he was grateful to the central government for its quick response to the disaster. "The Aceh government is thankful to the central government for its quick reaction by sending relief aid to the affected area, including the visit by a number of ministers a day after the quake struck the area. We are also thankful to the commander of the Iskandar Muda regional military command and the chief of the Aceh provincial police and their ranks and files who have helped victims," he said.