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Ministry of Social Affairs Distributes COVID-19 Tents and Logistics for Merapi Evacuees
Writer :
Joko Hariyanto
Editor :
Annisa YH
Translator :
Intan Qonita N
SLEMAN (November 25, 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs distributes aid for the handling of Merapi evacuees. Assistance worth Rp500 million was handed over through the Social Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) and the Social Office of Boyolali Regency in the form of COVID-19 tents and logistical assistance to meet basic needs for vulnerable evacuees.
Director of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters (PSKBA), M. Safii Nasution, said that for the time being, his party provided assistance worth Rp500 million for evacuees in Merapi.
However, according to him, the Ministry of Social Affairs wants to first establish communication with stakeholders, such as the DIY Provincial Government and Boyolali Regency, in anticipation of the Merapi eruption.
"For now, the most important thing is coordination first, so that when a disaster occurs, it can be executed quickly so that the evacuees are handled properly. Today we provide, temporarily, around Rp500 million, in the form of COVID-19 tents, basic needs for vulnerable groups, such as mattresses, logistics, also for pregnant women, toddlers and children," he said to the media after a coordination meeting at the Social Service Office. DIY Province, Bantul, Tuesday (24/11).
There are currently 20 units of COVID-19 tents prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs for evacuation in the area around Merapi. 10 units were distributed in DIY and 10 units were distributed in Selo District, Boyolali Regency.
The tent measures 8 x 6 meters with a material made of PVC which is neither too hot nor too cold.
"Currently, we have 20 units on standby, but when more is needed, we are ready to bring in more for the evacuees. This tent is red and white in color, and was deliberately made to make evacuees comfortable when they have to live in evacuee camps,” he said again.
In addition, in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic among evacuees from the Merapi eruption, Safii said, the government has implemented strict health protocols by building booths in evacuee camps and installing ozonation devices to kill small particles that spread the virus.
"We see that everything here uses screens and booths. We also install ozonation," he continued.
To assist the smooth distribution of evacuee needs, the Ministry of Social Affairs has alerted 369 Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana).
"Of these, who have been deployed to the field, as many as 69 people in two evacuee locations," explained Safii.
Director of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disasters (PSKBA), M. Safii Nasution, said that for the time being, his party provided assistance worth Rp500 million for evacuees in Merapi.
However, according to him, the Ministry of Social Affairs wants to first establish communication with stakeholders, such as the DIY Provincial Government and Boyolali Regency, in anticipation of the Merapi eruption.
"For now, the most important thing is coordination first, so that when a disaster occurs, it can be executed quickly so that the evacuees are handled properly. Today we provide, temporarily, around Rp500 million, in the form of COVID-19 tents, basic needs for vulnerable groups, such as mattresses, logistics, also for pregnant women, toddlers and children," he said to the media after a coordination meeting at the Social Service Office. DIY Province, Bantul, Tuesday (24/11).
There are currently 20 units of COVID-19 tents prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs for evacuation in the area around Merapi. 10 units were distributed in DIY and 10 units were distributed in Selo District, Boyolali Regency.
The tent measures 8 x 6 meters with a material made of PVC which is neither too hot nor too cold.
"Currently, we have 20 units on standby, but when more is needed, we are ready to bring in more for the evacuees. This tent is red and white in color, and was deliberately made to make evacuees comfortable when they have to live in evacuee camps,” he said again.
In addition, in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic among evacuees from the Merapi eruption, Safii said, the government has implemented strict health protocols by building booths in evacuee camps and installing ozonation devices to kill small particles that spread the virus.
"We see that everything here uses screens and booths. We also install ozonation," he continued.
To assist the smooth distribution of evacuee needs, the Ministry of Social Affairs has alerted 369 Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana).
"Of these, who have been deployed to the field, as many as 69 people in two evacuee locations," explained Safii.
Meanwhile, the Head of the DIY Provincial Social Office, Endang Patmintarsih, said that his party had coordinated with the Ministry of Social Affairs to facilitate steps when an eruption disaster occurred. The DIY Provincial Social Office directly distributes assistance to the evacueess who are currently all included in the vulnerable group.
“The current number of evacuees in Glagaharjo is 239 consisting of the elderly, pregnant women, children and infants. The urgent need at this time is basic needs such as complementary foods for breast milk, biscuits, and vitamins for them. Today, we have coordinated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the assistance provided is as needed," he explained.
The seismic activity of Mount Merapi is still high since its status was raised to alert or level three on November 5. The high seismic activity caused the avalanche of old lava cliffs.
"Avalanches like this are a common occurrence when Mount Merapi experiences an increase in activity before an eruption," said Head of the Center for Observation and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG), Hanik Humaida.
The collapse of the old lava cliff occurred on Sunday and is in the northern crater. However, the avalanche material fell into the crater, so that so far it has no effect on the activity of Mount Merapi.
Meanwhile, the evacuation process of residents from the slopes of Mount Merapi since the determination of the alert status is still focused on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities.
In the evacuee camps, the government has prepared a partition so that the principle of social distancing can be implemented in order to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
“The current number of evacuees in Glagaharjo is 239 consisting of the elderly, pregnant women, children and infants. The urgent need at this time is basic needs such as complementary foods for breast milk, biscuits, and vitamins for them. Today, we have coordinated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the assistance provided is as needed," he explained.
The seismic activity of Mount Merapi is still high since its status was raised to alert or level three on November 5. The high seismic activity caused the avalanche of old lava cliffs.
"Avalanches like this are a common occurrence when Mount Merapi experiences an increase in activity before an eruption," said Head of the Center for Observation and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG), Hanik Humaida.
The collapse of the old lava cliff occurred on Sunday and is in the northern crater. However, the avalanche material fell into the crater, so that so far it has no effect on the activity of Mount Merapi.
Meanwhile, the evacuation process of residents from the slopes of Mount Merapi since the determination of the alert status is still focused on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities.
In the evacuee camps, the government has prepared a partition so that the principle of social distancing can be implemented in order to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
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