Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani revealed that the country's National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) has requested nearly 560 billion Indonesian rupiahs ($37.5 million) for emergency relief, the Antara news agency reported.
READ MORE: Tsunami Warning Issued After Magnitude 7 Quake Hits Indonesian Island (VIDEO)
The requested funds are expected to be allocated later in the day to enable the BNPB to promptly proceed with its work, the news outlet added.
Tsunami Hits Indonesia’s Palu After Strong Earthquake https://t.co/qMAVyRbR6O pic.twitter.com/Fr8N6vC3pT
— Ajanaku oyinola (@oyinolakaffy) September 28, 2018
The Indonesian authorities do not rule out that the amount of funds might be increased.
It’s a very sad and difficult moment. Lots of victims, a country in despair — no words can mend. We are overwhelmed by sorrow.
— Claudio Marchisio (@ClaMarchisio8) September 29, 2018
🙏#indonesia #sulawesi #palu #earthquake #tsunami pic.twitter.com/M8hfTR1zGC
According to the finance minister, the country's government is currently focused on providing rescue and relief to the affected people, while issues relating to the infrastructure reconstruction will be addressed later.
On Friday, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The tremor was followed by two 5.8-magnitude quakes. Additionally, a 2-meter-high (6.5-feet-high) tsunami struck the city of Palu and the Donggala area in Central Sulawesi after the tremors. According to the latest media reports, the number of natural disaster's victims in Indonesia reached 420.
