President: people should become used to disasters

"Teach people how to save themselves and show them ways to evacuate so that they are ready to face disasters," he said.

The president likewise called for an emergency response by providing medical treatment to sick people and distributing relief assistance to the victims soon.

Speaking of the big number of evacuees, the head of state hoped the regional administrations would in the future provide each family with a tent.

On the assistance for people whose houses were damaged, Yudhoyono said the aid should be adjusted to the extent of the damage so that the government money could be spent efficiently.

On the occasion, the president handed financial assistance worth Rp1 billion and logistics aid for the victims of the recent earthquakes in Pesisir Selatan district, to West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi.

Besides cash, the president also handed more than 500 tents, tens of tons of food and drinking water as well as basic commodities to Pesisir Selatan district head Nasrul Abit.