Jakarta (Greeners) – Government agencies, private sectors, universities, indigenous and religious groups signed on a memorandum of understanding to restore Cycloops Mountains nature reserves, Sentani Lake and Sentani Tami water catchment areas, after flash floods hit Sentani on 16 March 2019.
In a press release, Doni Monardo, head of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), met with representatives from churches in Papua to inform public about nature protection in their preaches, such as no logging in protected areas.
“It (the action) is included in the memorandum of understanding, to synchronize disaster mitigation and disaster literacy to public through education, consultation and disaster simulation,” said Monardo in Jayapura, Papua, on Monday (01/04/2019).
READ ALSO: Government Agencies Split Opinions on the Cause of Sentani Flash Floods
The agencies signed on the MoU are BNPB, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Public Works and People’s Housing, Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning, Ministry of National Development Planning, Papua provincial administration, Jayapura district and city administrations, Keerom district administration, Cenderawasih University, PT Freeport Indonesia, Sentano Indigenous Council, Port Numbay Indigenous Association, Papua Church Association, Sinode GKI and Sinode Gidi in Papua.
Up to date, Sentani is going through recovery phase for three months, starting in 30 March to 27 June, after 14 days of emergency status being declared. During transitional phase, activities such as evacuation can proceed.
President’s Instruction to Relocate Victims
Sentani flash floods, triggered by torrential rain, claimed 112 lives and 17 reported missing.
Papua Disaster Mitigation Agency recorded 153 heavily injured, 808 people with minor injuries, meanwhile 4,763 people or 963 families took refuge in 21 shelters.
In addition, 1,788 house damaged, — 291 destroyed, 209 mild damages, and 1,288 minor damages –.
Consequently, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo agreed to relocate victims to safer places.
“The relocation will be determined by the governor and bupati (head of district). If that’s settled, the lands will be released and declared, then we will start develop houses. So, the location needs to be first determined,” said President Jokowi.
READ ALSO: Flash Floods Hit Sentani of Jayapura on Saturday Night
Meanwhile, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe said provincial government had sent out team to assess the locations for relocation.
Currently, the team is negotiating with land owners.
“If the team get the place, then we will release (the lands) and built them. It is hopeful to get lands along the road of Jayapura to Wamena for the relocation,” said Governor Enembe.
Reports by Dewi Purningsih
21 Apr 2024 
