Entering The Red Zone Of Mount Semeru's Follow-Up Eruption, Refugees In Curah Kobokan And Sumberwuluh Villages Are Moved

JAKARTA - The government has moved victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru to a safer village in Lumajang Regency, East Java. The refugees previously occupied villages that were prone to subsequent eruptions of Semeru.

"There are several refugee camps that are prone to further eruptions, namely the evacuation sites in Curah Kobokan Village and Sumberwuluh Village," said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy as reported by Antara, Monday, December 6.

As quoted in a government press release received in Jakarta on Monday, Muhadjir said that the residents who had fled in the two villages would be moved to a refugee camp in Penanggal Village.

"Because the places used as shelters in the two villages are vulnerable, including the red zone. We are worried that if there are further eruptions or if there is heavy rain, the lava that is stuck above will fall," he said.

Muhadjir also explained that the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) had been asked to form a Disaster Emergency Management Task Force whose members consisted of Military Resort Commanders, Regents, and Resort Police Chiefs to facilitate coordination of disaster response efforts to post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.

In addition, according to him, the government has established a disaster emergency management post to support the activities of volunteers and humanitarian agencies that assist in handling the impact of the eruption of Mount Semeru.

"Now they have all moved. And God willing, everything will be handled smoothly," said Muhadjir.

Muhadjir and other government officials on Sunday, December 5 visited the refugee camps in Penanggal Village, Pasirian Hospital, and Doctor Hartoyo Hospital to check the handling of the impact of the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency.

Avalanche hot clouds, volcanic ash rain, and lava floods due to the eruption of Mount Semeru caused severe impacts in Candipuro, Pronojiwo, and Pasirian sub-districts.

According to BNPB data, the disaster left 14 people dead and 69 injured and forced 5,205 people to evacuate.