East Flores (September 29, 2024) - The Ministry of Social Affairs ensures the availability of logistics in the social granary closest to the eruption location of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki. "Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) is coordinating and ensuring that logistics are available," answered Masriani Mansyur, Acting Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Affected People (PSKBA) in Jakarta, Sunday (September 29, 2024).

The affected areas are in East Flores Regency, including Wulanggitang District with 6 villages, and Ilebura District with 1 village. The affected community is also in Sikka Regency, precisely in Talibura District with 5 villages.

Previously, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara was still at level III or alert status after the eruption on September 27, 2024. The incident did not cause any fatalities.  However, the impact caused by the volcanic ash spewing has polluted water sources and made it difficult for people to get clean water.

In addition, volcanic ash also damaged around 2,500 houses in East Flores Regency and 2,000 houses in Sikka Regency. Most of the damage occurred to the roofs of people's houses, especially roofs made of zinc.

Meanwhile, after the eruption on September 27, 2024, community activities in the field are still running normally. The local government has not mobilized its people to be relocated. This is considering input from the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) which said that people may carry out activities if they are in a safe zone because the volcanic situation is still relatively safe. People are advised not to carry out activities within a radius of 3-5 kilometers from the center of the eruption.

Clean water assistance has been distributed periodically by the East Flores Regency Government. In addition, the local government has also appealed to affected communities to close water reservoirs so that they are not contaminated by volcanic dust.

Responding to the possibility of increased volcanic activity and status, MoSA ensures that all disaster logistics needs are available at every social granary, especially the nearest one. "We ensure that logistics are available at the Talibura District social granary," explained Masriani. It is in Sikka Regency, 31 kilometers away with a travel time of 60 minutes from the eruption point.

A total of ten Tagana personnel were deployed to handle the impact of the volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi. "Distributing masks, installing tarpaulins on house roofs, and distributing clean water," continued Masriani.

Previously, the Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption began to show increased activity since its status rose to level III (Alert) on December 15, 2023. Although it had dropped to level II (Alert) in February 2024, the status was raised again on June 10, 2024, following the eruption that has continued to this day.  On Friday, September 27, 2024, the mountain erupted again with smoke reaching 700 meters high.

MoSA also encouraged the Regional Government through the Social Office to record the community affected by the economy. This is intended to obtain assistance to strengthen the economy after the disaster recovery through the Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) program.

In addition, the Regional Government focuses on health services at the village and sub-district levels, related to people affected by Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs), skin diseases, and diarrhea due to exposure to volcanic ash.

Regarding assistance for home repairs, MoSA through the PSKBA Directorate is still waiting for the submission and results of the assessment carried out by each affected Regency. "Still waiting for official data from each regency," explained Masriani.

In addition to the impacts that have occurred, MoSA has also coordinated with the regional government in anticipating the threat of cold lava floods when the rainy season arrives. "For the rainy season there is a threat of cold lava floods," said Masriani. Currently, the East Flores Regency Government is making a diversion channel for cold lava flows to minimize the impact.