Jakarta (04 November 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) ensured that logistical assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs has now been launched to handle victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.  The Ministry of Social Affairs has sent aid from the logistics warehouse at the Efata Center in Kupang and a team from the Directorate of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters (PSKBA) and the Disaster Response Volunteer (Tagana) to the location.

“Currently, the main thing is evacuating victims, Tagana team is already at the location helping to evacuate and search for victims. At the same time, we have also launched logistical assistance,” said Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, in Jakarta, on Monday (4/11/2024).

Currently, the East Flores Regency Government has determined three evacuation points. Tagana team joined these evacuation points. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs has also begun to supply food needs in the form of public kitchens. For logistics, the Ministry of Social Affairs has a social barn in Ilebura District, which is 2 km from the location.

The social barn in Ilebura has also routinely supplied handling needs since the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki last year. Throughout 2024, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has reportedly erupted 871 times.  To back up the barn in Ilebura, the Ministry of Social Affairs is currently encouraging assistance from social service warehouses around East Flores.  Meanwhile, logistical assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs' Efata Center has also been alerted to help handle logistical needs at the disaster site.

Regarding the Lewotobi eruption, 1,500 ready-to-eat food packages and 1,000 children's food packages have also been distributed to meet food needs.  Non-food aid has also been distributed including 400 pieces of mattresses, 500 pieces of blankets, and 300 packages of family kits and kids ware.

In addition, 300 adult and child clothing packages, 400 pieces of roll-up tents, 40 units of velbeds, 10 units of multipurpose tents, and 2 units of portable toilets were also distributed to support adequate shelter and sanitation needs for affected communities.

For your information, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted again on Sunday (3/11/2024) at 23:57 WITA, or Monday (4/11/2024) 00:57 WIB. Based on the latest data, the eruption caused 8 people to die and a number of people were injured. The Ministry of Social Affairs team in collaboration with local authorities is still evacuating and collecting data on victims, including data collection of the dead for handing over compensation to the heirs.