More than 2,500 homes were "badly damaged" and 17 deaths in Wednesday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Papua, Andi Arief, the presidential adviser for social welfare, said on Monday.

"As many as 2,556 houses were badly damaged and 866 others suffered minor damage," Andi told news portal Detik.com. "According to the data we have received, there were 17 casualties. Two were in South Yapen district and 15 were in Ankaesera district."

The quake also damaged a 27-km water pipe installation, 33 places of worships, dozens of school buildings and facilities at three harbors. Andi added that 4,600 people were currently living in shelters.

He also restated the need to form a national commission for earthquakes.

"We can't underestimate earthquakes. Until now humans are still unable to create the technology that can predict earthquakes. However, based on the statistics, we actually can predict the likelihood of a quake. Statistics show that quakes in Indonesia tend to repeat within a certain period of time," he said.

The government is planning to cooperate with a team from Harvard University to hold quake-leadership training. The training will be attended by regional heads from all over Indonesia.

"We hope the regional leaders are able to take swift and proper emergency actions when disaster strikes," Andi said.