Malang, E Java, (Antara)- Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa has said the number of people displaced by natural disasters like flood, landslide and volcano eruption, significantly increases annually.
The number of evacuees reached 3.2 million during 2017, up from 2.7 million in 2016 and 1.2 million in 2015, Minister Parawansa said here Sunday while closing the National Jamboree of Muhammadiyah's volunteers, which was organized by the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC).
She lauded the jamboree because volunteers played crucial roles in helping victims of natural disasters.
On the previous day in Bantul, Yogyakarta, the minister called on the public to stay vigilant as several regions in Indonesia are experiencing severe weather lately.
She also asked every stakeholder in charge of disaster handling, to always be ready to deliver assistance particularly during December, the peak of rainy season.
"The peak of rainy season is in December, therefore we must increase our vigilance and alertness. Hopefully, we can pass this December safely," she said.
She pointed out that 323 districts and cities in Indonesia are prone to natural disasters.
The minister handed over relief aid worth Rp1.8 billion to help victims of floods, landslides and Cempaka tropical cyclone in four districts and one town in Yogyakarta.(*)
