The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs and Kompas Handed Over the Keys to the 8 Families of the Victims of the Seroja Storm in Kupang

Residents of Taklale, Babau Village, East Kupang District, Kupang Regency, could not hold back their emotions. their eyes brimmed with tears. Their sad fate began with the rage of the Seroja Storm which hit almost the entire Nusa Tenggara Timur region in 2021. The storm has swept away the house they live in.

Gathering with family at home is just a dream. Unexpectedly, now that dream has come true. This afternoon the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini and Director of the Kompas Humanitarian Foundation Antonius Tomy Trinugroho were present in the midst of handing over the keys to the house.

"If we didn't have this assistance, half of the residents might still be in tents. We thank the donor (Kompas), the Minister, who has paid special attention to us," said one of the recipient residents, Yohanis Liwar. Yohanis is one of the residents receiving housing assistance. As a form of gratitude, he even specifically gave the Minister of Social Affairs a red cloth which was his wedding gift.

In front of the media crew, the Minister of Social Affairs said that the construction of these eight houses started from his trip to Wini in early 2022. At that time, the former Mayor of Surabaya accidentally saw that there were still people affected by the Seroja storm who had not been touched by aid.

"It turned out that while on the way there I saw that there were several tents that were still standing and at that time were occupied by several families. So at that time I got down and then everyone stopped and took a look at this and then we decided besides Wini, we will also handle this," he said.

Risma then explored collaborating with the Kompas Humanitarian Foundation to build the residence, while the Ministry of Social Affairs helped prepare the furniture.

More in the following video.