MoSA’s Public Kitchen in Lumajang Continues to Distribute Food Assistance to Semeru Eruption Victims after a Week of Operation

LUMAJANG (12 December 2022) – A week after the eruption of Mount Semeru which occurred on Sunday (4/12), the public kitchen of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) is still eager to distribute food assistance to evacuees.

Since the first eruption, the Disaster Voluntary Worker (Tagana) from Lumajang District, Batu City, Malang, Pasuruan, Tagana of East Java Province and the Disaster Preparedness Village have established Public Kitchen Services to meet the basic needs of the evacuees.

“The public kitchens were set up in two locations. The first is located at the Sumber Urip Village Hall, and the other is located at Penanggal Village. In one day, the public kitchen distributed 500 packs of rice which were distributed at several points," said the Coordinator of Tagana, Lumajang Regency, Eko Santoso.

In addition to the public kitchen, MoSA through the Directorate of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters has sent emergency logistics items from the Margo Laras Centre Warehouse to the Lumajang District Social Office. Logistics distributed worth IDR 211 million in the form of ready-to-eat food, children's food, mattresses, blankets and adult wears.

To deal with trauma because of the disaster, MoSA deployed a Psychosocial Support Service (LDP) team. This service was provided to evacuees, especially children who were invited to do various entertainment activities such as singing and playing. This was done not only to fill free time but also to reduce anxiety caused by disasters that occur in residential areas.

The MoSA’s activity at the Mount Semeru eruption evacuation site has also received a review by Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Umar Bashor who went directly to the site on Wednesday (7/12). Umar went to the evacuation site in Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency.

During his visit, Umar and the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed assistance for evacuees in the form of 100 ready-to-eat food packages, 100 children's food packages, blankets, 149 packages of adult clothing, 180 packages of baby clothing, 145 mattresses, 76 packages of disposable diapers, 30 packages of kidswear and mineral water of 20 boxes.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs