Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah assured here on Sunday that there was enough supply of rice for quake victims including for those in Bengkulu.

"Rice supply is secured. The problem is transporting and distributing them," he said after meeting with Bengkulu governor Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin.

The government has already sent logistical supplies to the victims in Bengkulu such as rice, instant noodle, cooking oil and tents.

The minister hoped that the people in Bengkulu would remain patient and strong with regard to the disater. "As religous people let us face and accept it with patience," he said.

The governor earlier said that the impact of the 7.9 magnitude quake last Wednesday was not small as people had thought.

"An aerial view of the quake-ridden areas showed that destruction is minimum, but in the villages destruction was quite serious," he said.

Until now 14 people in the province had been lost their lives, 11 seriously and 32 lightly injured. Around 30,000 houses were damaged.

Agusrin said many people especially in the districts of North Bengkulu and Muko-Muko were still afraid of staying at home, still remained at makeshift shelters. "They are badly in need of food and blankets", he said.
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