The Ministry Of Social Affairs Ensures The Food Needs Of Semeru Refugees Are Fulfilled

LUMAJANG - The Ministry of Social Affairs has ensured that all food needs for refugees from the hot cloud disaster of Mount Semeru can be met in response to requests from residents who need food assistance at the refugee camps in Lumajang Regency, East Java.

"All food aid uses and is supported by the APBN which is intended for refugees and residents affected by the Mount Semeru disaster," said Secretary of the Director General of Social Protection and Security (Linjamsos) of the Ministry of Social Affairs Robben Rico in a written statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 9.

For the distribution of refugees, he continued, some were in family homes and schools, but it was confirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs would provide services to all local residents affected by the increased activity of Mount Semeru.

"It's not true that people asking for food assistance are not given, for example, in Sumberwuluh Village it is recorded as many as 7,800 rice packs and in Jarit Village as much as 2,000 packaged rice in a day, of course those who have been registered," he said.

He said that for residents who have been registered, food will certainly be sent, but for the community of residents who request outside the ones that have been recorded, they will still be given.

"For example, there is a community of residents who ask for 20 packs of rice to be given, of course, and the data is not fixed, so it's not the same every day. This means it can fluctuate," he said.

Robben Rico took the time to directly inspect the tents set up by the Ministry of Social Affairs, in which there are booths for families and tents that are open to residents.

"I also accompany storytellers for children to relieve trauma and review the soup kitchen managed by the Taruna Siaga Disaster (Tagana)," he said.