SOE Minister Erick Thohir: Children Affected By The Semeru Disaster Will Get Scholarships

SOE Minister Erick Thohir when visiting refugees affected by the Semeru hot cloud disaster in Lumajang Regency, East Java, Sunday, December 12 (Photo: Hamka Agung Balya/Antara)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir said that children whose parents died and became orphans due to the hot cloud disaster that fell from Mount Semeru would receive a scholarship from the BUMN Foundation.

"We are sorry for the children who lost their parents due to the Semeru disaster and they will get scholarships," said Erick while visiting refugees affected by the hot cloud disaster from Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java, as reported by Antara, Sunday, December 12.

According to him, children must continue to return to school for their future so that the Ministry of SOEs provides assistance as much as 2,500 school equipment to children affected by the Mount Semeru disaster.

"I ask the BUMN Foundation to collect data to provide scholarships to orphans affected by the Semeru disaster because long-term programs for education are very important for them," he said.

He said his visit to Lumajang Regency was a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's direction, who had visited locations affected by hot clouds from avalanches on the slopes of Mount Semeru a few days ago.

"BUMN will also build toilet facilities (MCK) and the location has been surveyed, then the realization of houses is also part of the President's instructions, so we will follow up according to the President's directions," he said.

Erick assessed that the assistance for basic materials and food for residents affected by the Mount Semeru disaster was abundant, so that SOEs focused on long-term assistance such as education.

In addition to providing assistance to residents affected by the Mount Semeru disaster, Erick Thohir accompanied by the Regent of Lumajang Thoriqul Haq and Deputy Regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati also visited the Perhutani location which will be used as a place for relocation and new settlements for people affected by the Semeru disaster.

Regarding the relocation of residents' houses, Erick admitted that he had communicated with the Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, but according to the administrative process, his party together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry were waiting for letters from the Regent and Deputy Regent of Lumajang.