Mount Lewotobi Eruption, DPR Emphasizes Parties That Help Must Strengthen Collaboration

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal expressed his concern over the natural disaster of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, NTT. He reminded that saving affected residents should be a priority.

Based on information from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), there were 9 victims who died and 1 was still in critical condition due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki. In addition, it was also reported that 31 people were seriously injured and 32 people were lightly injured who are currently being treated at the local health center, of which 3 were referred to the Dr. Hendrikus Fernandez Larantuka Regional General Hospital.

Cucun also hopes that the evacuation process can run smoothly, especially for affected communities to refugee camps.

"Priority is saving residents. BNPB and BPBD can cooperate with TNI/Polri and Tagana friends in the process of evacuating the community to a safe place," said Cucun, Wednesday, November 7.

BNPB noted that there were seven villages affected by the volcanic eruption. Six villages were affected in Wulanggitang District, namely Pululura Village, Nawokote, Hokeng Jaya, Klatanlo, Boru and Boru Kedang. Then one village in Ile Bura District, namely Dulipali Village.

A total of 2,734 families or 10,295 people were known to be affected by the eruption. The details are in Wulangitang District 2,527 families or 9,479 people and Ile Bura 207 families or 816 people.

Cucun asked the joint SAR team to keep going and immediately evacuate residents who were still within a 7-kilometer radius of Mount Lewotobi Laki. Because there are still more than 2,472 people who must be evacuated.

"Make sure all affected communities are in a safe condition, and give a humanist approach to those who are not willing to evacuate so that their safety is guaranteed," explained Cucun.

Currently, the East Flores Regional Government has set an emergency response status for 58 days due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki. Cucun emphasized the importance of distributing aid immediately to residents, including assistance needed at the disaster site.

"Emergency posts must be feasible with adequate basic facilities equipped with access to clean water, healthy public kitchens, as well as a nutritious supply of medicines and food so that the health and basic needs of the refugees can be met," he explained.

Furthermore, Cucun also encourages the Government to provide refugee camps that can accommodate all affected residents. This is because the number of refugees may still increase.

"Health services must be available at every evacuation post, including preventing infectious diseases in evacuations and handling injuries due to disasters," explained Cucun.

In addition, the leadership of the DPR in the field of people's welfare (Kesra) also reminded the importance of providing psychosocial services. Cucun highlighted how disaster victims not only face physical problems, but also psychological.

"Support of psychosocial and trauma healing is very necessary so that victims can recover mentally from natural disaster trauma," he said.

Cucun hopes that every officer who is deployed can work competently and can coordinate effectively. Cross-agency synergy must be maximized so that there are no obstacles during the emergency response process.

"All of this is done so that it can answer the needs of residents as a whole and ensure their safety during this crisis," said Cucun.

"Strengthening the collaboration of each agency involved in the emergency response process, including cooperation with volunteers is very important so that services to the community can be maximized," said Cucun.

On the other hand, Cucun reminded about mapping the damage and recovery of post-disaster infrastructure after the situation stabilized.

Mainly for community settlements around the mountain, and public infrastructure there. Damaged infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, must be repaired immediately so that community activities can return to normal as soon as possible," he explained.

Finally, Cucun said that the Government needs to maximize socialization and education to the community around Mount Lewotobi Laki about self-protection measures in the face of an eruption.

"Socialization and education are important so that people remain alert and know what to do in an emergency," Cucun concluded.