Suffering Of Pasaman Earthquake Victims: Since February Still In Refugee Tents, Fasting With Limitations

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - Refugees from the earthquake at Simpang Timbo Abu, Talamau District, West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, who are still living in tents, expect temporary housing from the government to be built.

"The house was destroyed and I have been in this refugee camp since the first day of the earthquake on February 25, 2022. I still survive because I don't know where to go. We will almost certainly be in this refugee camp," complained a refugee Yosmaneli (35) met at the Simpang Timbo Abu refugee camp, Thursday 21 April.

With the condition of the house destroyed, he and his child were forced to fast in a makeshift refugee tent.

"What can we do, we are still surviving in tents with minimal means. It is possible to celebrate Eid in the refugee camps," he said, quoted from Antara.

Currently, basic needs are still being met from the assistance of various parties. However, with a modest menu such as tea water, fried eggs, and samba lado, they had their sahur meal and broke their fast in the refugee camp.

"We hope that the government can immediately build temporary or permanent housing so that we can go home again," he hoped.

Another refugee, Nursiah (54) also said that she had not received temporary shelter from any party, so she was forced to stay in the refugee camp.

"The four of me with children are still living in the refugee camp. We hope that someone will help build temporary shelters," he hoped.

One of the evacuation tent coordinators, Joel, said that currently there are around 40 families or 150 residents who still survive in the Simpang Timbo Abu refugee camp.

"They survived because their houses were destroyed and currently have not received temporary shelter assistance," he said.