Jakarta, Sept. 8 -- Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has about Rp950 billion (US$53.9 million) in ready-to-use disaster funds, while the government awaits a request for additional financing.

Asked about disaster funding at a media briefing on Tuesday, he said he had not released additional funds because BNPB had yet to submit a request.

Sadewa said BNPB still had about Rp900 billion (US$51 million) in ready-to-use funds, according to the Finance Ministry's director general.

Finance Ministry Secretary-General Robert Marbun separately said BNPB has a Rp5.7 trillion (US$323.3 million) budget ceiling, including Rp950 billion for disaster response.

BNPB has absorbed Rp2.6 trillion (U...