Refugees Of Mount Lewotobi Men Reach 11,553 People

Tents of refugees from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) (doc BNPB)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that the number of refugees from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) reached 11,553 people as of Tuesday 12 November.

"For evacuation, it is recorded that to this day there are 11,553 people, now there are eight centralized evacuation points," said Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto at a press conference at the BNPB building, East Jakarta.

Suharyanto detailed that of the eight refugee locations, there are six locations in East Flores Regency and two locations in Sika Regency. The plan is that the two locations in Sika Regency will be moved to East Flores Regency.

"Why was it moved? Because the ash was directed to the west and southwest, so that the refugee camps in Sika Regency were affected by ash," said Suharyanto.

Suharyanto said that the evacuation locations would be distinguished according to the category. This is a direct direction from Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka after chairing a meeting to accelerate the disaster management of Mount Lewotobi Laki eruption at the BNPB building, East Jakarta, last Tuesday.

"Earlier, the Vice President immediately chaired the meeting, gave directions, he even asked to be distinguished in refugee camps between the general public, between the elderly, between pregnant, between the breastfeeding and the children," he concluded.

Suharyanto explained that the directive was given so that the health services and basic needs of the refugees could be right on target. According to him, as of today there are no complaints regarding basic food, drink, and clean water services.

"We make sure that as of today there are no complaints related to basic food, drinking services, clean water. However, what will continue to be completed is the MCK. From the MCK there were several complaints to be completed, but we make sure this will continue to be completed," he said.