KUPANG (November 5, 2024) - Vice Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono accompanied by Director General of Social Protection and Security (Linjamsos) Agus Zainal Arifin went directly to the field to ensure that the aid distribution process could be carried out as quickly as possible. The aid is distributed from the nearest logistics warehouse located at the Efata Center in Kupang.

“The aid is being distributed using a ferry, heading to Larantuka Port, estimated to arrive at 03.00 WITA and immediately distributed to the disaster site,” said Vice Minister Agus when accompanying the aid distribution process at Bolok Ferry Port, Kupang on Tuesday (5/11/2024) afternoon.

Ministry of Social Affairs sent a team to the field to distribute aid and provide assistance to affected residents.

Meanwhile, the Tagana team and other social pillars that have been at the location are currently deployed to evacuate, set up emergency shelters, and open public kitchens at evacuation sites.

Director of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters (PSKBA), Masryani Mansyur said that aid shipments were deployed from the logistics warehouse at the Efata Center in Kupang with a total aid value of Rp1.27 billion.

The assistance includes 400 sheets of mattresses; 300 children's clothing packages; 1,000 children's food packages; 1,500 ready-to-eat food packages; 298 adult clothing packages; and 500 blankets.

There is also assistance in the form of 400 pieces of rolling tents; 40 velbeds; 300 family kit packages; 300 kidsware packages; ten units of multipurpose tents; and two units of portable toilets.

Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed 2,500 food packages worth IDR 500 million to fulfill the survivors' food needs.

In addition to logistics, Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed compensation to the heirs of victims who died due to the Mount Lewotobi eruption disaster. This compensation was given to nine heirs with a total IDR 135 million.

Not only logistical and material assistance, Ministry of Social Affairs also intervenes in psychosocial support services to assist victims in psychological recovery and mental strengthening at refugee camps.

Previously, there was an eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, causing ten residents to die. The incident occurred on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at around 23:57 WITA. One person was reported to be in critical condition, and dozens were injured due to the direct impact of the eruption and incandescent lava that hit several settlements.