After Providing Aid, Social Affairs Minister will Install EWS in Semeru

LUMAJANG (22 April 2024) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini conducted a working visit to Lumajang Regency, East Java, on Monday, April 22, 2024. The Minister's working visit was to convey condolences and provide compensation to the heirs of the three victims of the cold lava flood from Mount Semeru that occurred on Thursday (4/18). The heirs received compensation of IDR 15,000,000 for each victim.

Minister Risma had a dialogue with Fathur (38), one of the family members of the victims of the cold lava flood from Mount Semeru. Risma asked about the chronology of the disaster that claimed Fathur's wife's life. "I extend my condolences, sir. How did it happen that your wife became a victim?" asked Minister Risma.

Fathur explained that the position of the house near the cliff caused his wife to become a victim. The landslide hit their home while she was in the room, preparing to evacuate. However, due to heavy rain, the cliff suddenly collapsed, leading to his wife becoming a victim.

"It was nearing 8 p.m.; my wife was in the room and was about to come out to evacuate. But suddenly the cliff near the house collapsed, and she became a victim," said Fathur, his voice trembling with sadness.

Minister Risma also conveyed to the media that, in addition to providing aid to the heirs of the victims of the cold lava flood disaster, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has also directly intervened to handle the cold lava flood in Semeru in Lumajang Regency and the river overflow flooding in Lumajang City. MoSA has opened a public kitchen at the Disaster Response Volunteer (Tagana) Operation Center in Lumajang Regency to meet the food needs of survivors at the flood site.

MoSA public kitchen in Lumajang, which has been operating since April 19, 2024, has prepared thousands of packaged meals that are suitable for consumption and meet nutritional standards for evacuees.

Minister Risma also stated that her ministry has coordinated with the social office, local government, and Tagana to map areas around Mount Semeru that have a high potential for disasters. These disasters include not only eruptions but also flash floods from cold lava, landslides, and others.

"There are indeed areas with many disaster potentials, up to three or four disaster potentials. This is shown at Lumajang, where sediments can be carried by floods brought on by heavy rains, in addition to cold lava floods and landslides that happen without eruptions from Mount Semeru. So the anticipation and preparation need to be more detailed," said Minister Risma.

Minister Risma will also prepare an Early Warning System (EWS). MoSA will guide the Lumajang Regency government in preparing them. "We will guide them from Jakarta for the EWS," she added.

The Minister also added that currently, MoSA teams have distributed folding mattresses to evacuees and self-reliant evacuees at various points. Meanwhile, according to Risma, Tagana, Community Peace Volunteers (Pordam), and Disaster Preparedness Villages will continue to operate public kitchens until Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to assist in the flood cleanup process and distribute aid packages.

The cold lava flood at the foot of Mount Semeru in Lumajang occurred on April 18, 2024. This flood struck dozens of villages and wreaked havoc on infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and several public facilities. Meanwhile, thousands of people have been displaced to avoid the cold lava flood. At least 3 people died as a result of the incident.