The Danger Of Hot Clouds, Area 6 Km From The Peak Of Mount Ruang Has Been Emptyed

Refugees of Mount Raung (ANTARA)

The joint task force team for handling the eruption of Mount Api Ruang continues to strive to deal with the eruption disaster which has reached level IV or "awas" since last Wednesday. The North Sulawesi Provincial Government together with the Sitaro Regency Government have vacated the area within a six-kilometer radius of the top of the mountain according to the recommendations of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).

Evacuation is carried out not only to safe radius areas, but also to several locations outside Tagulandang Island such as Manado City, Bitung City, and North Minahasa. Evacuation facilities are provided by the Indonesian Navy with KRI Kakap 811, Basarnas with KM Bima Sena, and ASDP by ferry and motorboat belonging to residents.

Evacuating residents include migrants, families in nearby cities, to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. All evacuation efforts are carried out for the safety and security of residents.

To meet food needs, the joint task force team established field public kitchens in several refugee camps, such as in Apengsala Village. This public kitchen is managed by the Social Service together with the TNI. In addition, psychosocial support services are also provided to assist displaced children.

Health posts have been established at the Paninteang Church Building, Lesah Village, with health services and distribution of masks regularly following the eruption that is still happening.

The TNI and Polri collaborate in cleaning roads from volcanic material affecting 363 housing units and two churches. The main post was established in Apengsala Village, approximately 15 kilometers from the foot of Mount Api Ruang as a command center for coordination and reporting.

The joint task force team also continues to distribute logistical assistance and equipment to meet the basic needs of affected residents and evacuation. The assistance distributed includes 1.5 tons of rice, 30 packages of instant noodles, 100 cans of sardin fish, 50 sheets of masks, as well as blankets, toiletries, sanitary napkins, mats, mattresses, and medicines from Makodam XIII/MDK, Korem, and other related agencies.

Furthermore, other assistance includes 123 mats, 400 blankets, two tarpaulins, 2,000 masks, 10 kg of sugar, as well as coffee and tea from the Sitaro Regency Government. The local Social Service also donated basic necessities, masks, and blankets.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also sent assistance in the form of 100 rolled tents, 200 blankets, 20 mattresses, 16 velbeds, 50 packages of family kits, 500 kg of eggs, 50 boxes of sardin fish, 50 kg of kitchen spices, and 200 boxes of glass-packaged mineral water.

On the other hand, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) provided 10 thousand sheets of zinc, five sets of refugee tents, 100 units of family tents, four units of light towers and generators, 300 packages of basic necessities and ready-to-eat food, 300 packages of hygiene kits, 300 sheets of mattresses and blankets, 150 folding mattresses, 300 boxes of masks, 50 units of velbeds, 10 units of portable toilets, and 300 packages of refugee survival kits. BNPB also allocates ready-to-use funds (DSP) of IDR 350 million to support the operation and fulfillment of the basic needs of affected residents and refugees.

The logistical assistance was sent through various points, such as Sam Ratulangi Air Base and ports in Manado and Bitung. The logistics warehouse is located in the main command post, residents' houses, and Minanga Port.