Social Minister Risma Quickly Moves Data On Orphans Affected By Mount Semeru Eruption

Volunteers are assisting children affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru, East Java. (ANTARA/HO-BAZNAS)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Social Affairs is currently collecting data on children who have become orphans, orphans, or orphans due to the eruption of Mount Semeru, East Java. This data is important so that social assistance can be immediately distributed to children.

"Now we are taking data. When I went there, I asked for data to be recorded for us to enter the social assistance program. We do (data collection) for social programs, for PKH (Program Keluarga Harapan) orphans and their families," said Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini at the Ministry of Social Affairs Building, Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, December 14.

Risma said that during her visit to areas affected by the eruption, not a few children lost their parents. Some of the children will be cared for by their relatives. Later, the caring relatives will also receive various social assistances, especially for those who have lost the backbone of the family.

"We will track them down, who will he be with. Yesterday there were some of them who joined their families (relatives)," said Risma.

As for the assistance that will be given to orphans, such as educational assistance to the provision of primary needs.

"They are, right, schools, the components are school assistance and we can guide with basic food cards so we can map like that," he said.

Previously, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that the death toll from the avalanche hot clouds (APG) of Mount Semeru had now risen to 48 people as of Monday after another two fatalities were found.

"Meanwhile, the cumulative number of victims who were carried out outpatient at the puskesmas and health posts was 2,004 people," said Plt. Head of the BNPB Disaster Information and Communication Data Center Abdul Muhari.

In detecting and searching for the potential locations of these victims, the Search and Rescue Team (SAR) deployed 11 sniffer dogs from the East Java Police Unit, Police Headquarters and Malang Police Headquarters.

Dozens of heavy equipment were also deployed in handling disasters caused by hot clouds and avalanches from the eruption of Mount Semeru. Later, it will be used to open a national road route between Lumajang and Malang, to be precise in Kamarkajang Hamlet which is currently in the process of being repaired and has reached 80 percent.

BNPB said that from the incident until Monday, the number of direct victims of the Gunung Semeru APG who were still being treated was 18 people.