Refugees At Manakarra Stadium, Mamuju, Complain About The Lack Of Clean Water And Piles Of Garbage

Piles of garbage in the evacuation tent in the Manakarra Mamuju Stadium area (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The earthquake victims who fled to Manakarra Mamuju Stadium, West Sulawesi Province (Sulbar) complained about the lack of clean water availability. Today, for example, refugees have only received one tank of water.

"Since we took refuge here, there was only a tank car carrying water, and even then only one unit so it was impossible to meet the needs of all the refugees," said one of the refugees at the Manakarra Mamuju Stadium, Muhammad Ridha, quoted by Antara, Monday, January 18.

Muhammad Ridha continued on the first day of post-Earth assemblies, that a reservoir unit was prepared in Manakarra Mamuju Stadium, but it was not equipped.

"On the first day we fled, we had prepared a reservoir, but the equipment was not prepared, one of which was a water tap. So, the water reservoir could not be used," he said.

Some of the refugees were forced to take turns bathing and washing at the spring beside the stadium.

"For me, the MCK (bathing, washing and toilet) at home because the damage to my house was not too bad. But other refugees whose houses were badly damaged used a spring beside the stadium," he said.

"The water quality is so bad that many refugees experience itching," added Muhammad Ridha.

Apart from water, the refugees also complained about the piles of garbage beside the refugee tents.

"Since the first day I have asked that our trash can be transported but until now the garbage has been allowed to pile up so that it is very dangerous and susceptible to disease. Do not let us avoid disaster but another disaster is coming," said Muhammad Ridha.

Observed this afternoon, piles of rubbish, which are dominated by diapers and household trash, are seen piled up next to the refugee tents which are right in front of the entrance to the Manakarra Mamuju Stadium. In this area, almost 2,000 residents have been displaced.

Refugee tents were seen lined up along the road at the Manakarra Mamuju Stadium. In fact, there were some residents who fled using cars as beds.

"The smell of garbage is very strong because there is a lot of wet rubbish. We have suffered from being forced to evacuate, plus the conditions here are a lot of garbage piling up," said another refugee, Nurdin.