Ministry of Social Affairs Assists Survivors Affected by Mount Lewotobi Male Eruption

EAST FLORES (January 9, 2024) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed aid to people affected by the eruption of Lewotobi Male Volcano in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The distribution of aid continues because the number of affected communities and the number of survivors continues to grow along with the re-eruption of the volcano.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs through the "Efata" Center in Kupang has been present amid survivors and continues to provide assistance," said Head of Administration Subdivision of the "Efata" Center in Kupang Tota Oceanna Zonneveld, Monday (8/1/2024).

Mount Lewotobi Male first erupted on Tuesday (2/1/2024) and erupted again on Sunday (7/1) and Monday (8/1) afternoon at 17:22 WITA. The Magma website page of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources states that the height of the eruption ash column was observed to reach 1,500 meters above the peak or around 3,084 meters above sea level.

As a result of the eruption, thousands of people fled to evacuation posts at the Wulanggitang Sub-District Office, East Flores Regency. The Ministry of Social Affairs, represented by the "Efata" Center in Kupang and the Directorate of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters, has distributed assistance in the form of ready-to-eat food, mattresses, blankets, family kits, kids ware, roll tents, multipurpose tents, portable family tents and portable toilets.

In addition, there is also assistance with food ingredients for public kitchens and masks for survivors and field officers.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed assistance through the Sikka Regency Social Service in the form of ready-to-eat food, children's equipment, mattresses, velbeds, blankets, tarpaulins, mats, sanitary napkins, and two units of red and white tents. Through the Lembata Regency Social Service, the Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed logistical assistance in the form of red and white tents, multipurpose tents, portable tents, blankets, mattresses, and a set of field public kitchens.

Meanwhile, through the East Flores Regency Social Service, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed logistical assistance in the form of red and white tents, portable tents, family tents, umbrella tents, and five sets of field public kitchens.

Currently, the Ministry of Social Affairs has established an evacuation post in front of the Konga Village office, Titehana Subdistrict, which is located at a radius of 15 km from the eruption point. As of Thursday (4/1), there are 1,103 people have taken to the post where there are vulnerable groups who are given special treatment.

The number is still increasing considering that many residents are still staying in their homes and the volcano is still on alert status.

Tota revealed that the Ministry of Social Affairs did not just let go after distributing logistical assistance. The public kitchen is still running as long as it is needed and there are still officers at the location until the emergency alert is over.

"The public kitchen is still running. The team from the "Efata" Center in Kupang is also still in the field until the 14-day emergency alert is over," concluded Tota.