Men's Mount Lewotobi Eruption Survivors Start Occupying Huntara

JAKARTA - East Flores Regency Regional Secretary Petrus Pedo Maran said hundreds of families (KK) who survived the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male have occupied temporary shelters (huntara) in Konga Village, TiteTENa District.

"As of last Friday, the shelter began," he said, quoted on Thursday, January 23.

He said that around 200 families who had occupied the shelter were survivors from Klatonlo Village, Wulangitang District and Dulipali Village, Ile Bura District.

"Indeed 250 houses have been prepared, but from these two villages it has not reached 250 families because some chose to evacuate independently," he said.

Each head of the family occupies temporary housing that can accommodate five families and is equipped with toilet facilities, washing, and toilets (MCK), entry roads, water, electricity, bathrooms, and kitchens together.

"We only need to supply food for kitchen activities, the size of the house is four times four meters," he said.

He explained that the survivors were enthusiastic when occupying the shelter. Children in the shelter location can play happily and the interaction between family and fellow survivors is well established.

"It was extraordinary, the enthusiasm of the residents was quite good and the family interaction was very good, we saw the atmosphere of the house even though it was only in the shelter," he said.

Huntara is said to be part of an adaptation effort for survivors to move out of their homes in the parent village of permanent housing that is being prepared by the government.

"Because psychologically it is very difficult for residents to leave their birth or village of origin, so actually it is localized in the shelter, actually the transition to permanent housing and the mental atmosphere is not too burdened," he said.

From the aspect of handling Mount Lewotobi Men's eruption survivors, he said, the huntara tried to restore the family atmosphere and the social environment of the community who supported and entertained each other between survivors.

"From the social and health aspects, the interaction between parents and children can run well and normally so as to avoid things we don't want if the atmosphere of family life is not managed properly as well as efforts to reduce the burden on the field post," he said.

The East Flores Regency Government also expressed its gratitude to the central government through related ministries/agencies, the Provincial Government of NTT, TNI, Polri, volunteers, and all parties who have supported efforts to deal with the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in the area.

"All parties take part and the community feels not alone, so it is appropriate for the local government to express appreciation and respect, thank you," he said.

Previously, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that at least 442 temporary residential units were ready to be built for the occupancy of 2,000 KK victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki.