Cianjur, W Java (ANTARA) - The government of Cianjur District, West Java Province, has provided food assistance to victims of the earthquake that struck the district on November 21, 2022, to help them perform the fasting ritual during Ramadhan 1444 Hijri.
"We have distributed food aid to the earthquake victims (to be used) during the fasting month through the related offices in each village and sub-district," Cianjur District Head Herman Suherman informed here on Wednesday.
In the past week, the authorized people have handed over rice, cooking oil, sugar, and flour assistance to residents staying in tents and emergency shelters due to their houses being damaged in the quake that occurred on November 21, 2022. The district head informed that the first and second batches of assistance for house renovation had been disbursed to the affected residents. So far, around 15 thousand residents have started rebuilding their homes.
He expressed the hope that the construction of the victims’ houses would be completed soon so that they can be occupied by the middle of the fasting month. "Hopefully, the third and fourth batches of the (house renovation) assistance for 45 thousand other disaster victims can be disbursed soon, thus they can quickly rebuild their homes," he said.
The regional government will continue to support the residents so that they get the assistance promptly, he added. One of the victims who had not received the assistance was Yudiansah, a resident of Nagrak village. "Maybe it has been our fate that we have to stay in the tent during Ramadhan this year," he said.
A resident of Sarapad village, Udin Hotidin, will also have to observe Ramadhan rituals at an emergency shelter.
Baca juga: Jamaah padati Masjid Istiqlal pada Shalat Tarawih
Baca juga: Jadwal Imsakiyah dan Buka Puasa Ramadhan 1444 H/2023 M di Kota Mataram NTB
"We could carry out worship rituals amid last year’s fasting month comfortably at home and conduct the Tarawih (non-obligatory night prayer that only happens during Ramadhan) at the mosque in this village. However, this year, we have to implement the fasting ritual in the emergency shelters and mosque," he said.
The earthquake victims said they hoped that the government will disburse the house renovation aid without delay so that they can quickly rebuild their homes. In addition, they expressed the hope that the damaged worship places will also be reconstructed soon. Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas announced on Wednesday evening that Ramadhan 1444 Hijri will start on March 23, 2023.