West Java Distributes Rp2 Billion Of Aid And 180 Volunteers For Victims Of Mount Semeru

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil distributes aid to be sent to Lumajang for victims of the Mount Semeru eruption (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government of West Java (Jabar) distributed aid worth Rp2 billion for victims of the hot cloud disaster that fell from Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency.

West Java Governor M Ridwan Kamil in a press release received in Bandung, Thursday, said that of the Rp2 billion, Rp900 million had been used to buy urgent needs and Rp1.1 billion in cash, which was assisted by Lazis Muhammadiyah.

"This assistance came from various elements of society in West Java. Thank God, Rp2 billion was collected, Rp900 million has been spent on urgent goods and Rp1.1 billion in money, which will be distributed in cooperation with Lazis Muhammadiyah," he said, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 9.

Not only material assistance, but the West Java Provincial Government has also sent 180 skilled volunteers from West Java Quick Response and is currently working in refugee camps, followed by 24 volunteers as the second wave.

"Along with prayers from all of us, from West Java, all monitoring with concern and also wanting to help tonight we sent aid worth Rp2 billion for refugees, coincidentally in collaboration with various parties, especially with Lazis Muhammadiyah," he said.

The governor said the West Java Provincial Government was ready to distribute aid to Lumajang Regency and would continue to help disaster victims and continue to provide support. "The point is we are together with prayers and real assistance. If there is anything, just contact the West Java Provincial Government, God willing, all West Java residents love the Lumajang residents, so we will help until the reconstruction stage," he said.

Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nasir hopes that regional heads have good cooperation with other regions. One of them is realized through high solidarity in helping disaster management.

Haedar praised Ridwan Kamil, who according to him is capable of mobilizing the people of West Java in handling disasters in other areas. One of them is collaborating with Youtuber and influencer from Bandung Regency, Doni Salmanan.

"I appreciate that as a regional head, he has good solidarity in helping disasters, whether channeled with other regional heads or with humanitarian organizations," he said.

This method must be imitated by other regions so that disaster management is more optimal. "So this disaster makes us even more solid," said Haedar.

Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq thanked the West Java Provincial Government for the attention and assistance. He said the assistance was very useful for refugees who are currently in urgent need.

"My deep respect for the Governor and the people of West Java, thank you for being noticed, we are loved. This is a deep respect for us so that we can immediately resolve this disaster emergency and we, the people of Lumajang can recover to live as before, this will not happen again. We forgot," he said.