Arriving In Flores, KRI Ahmad Yani Brings Assistance To Victims Of The Men's Mount Lewotobi Eruption

Indonesian Navy personnel when lifting aid rice at KRI Ahmad Yani-351 for victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Sunday. (ANTARA/Gecio Viana)

JAKARTA - The Warship of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) Ahmad Yani-351 carrying a number of assistance for victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male from Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency and Surabaya, East Java arrived at Pelni Larantuka Port, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

KRI Ahmad Yani-351, which departed from the Wae Kelambu Labuan Bajo Multipurpose Port on Saturday (16/11), arrived at Pelni Larantuka Port on Sunday (17/11).

"We are very grateful to the Indonesian Navy, especially the KRI Commander Ahmad Yani who has brought assistance to refugees from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores. Thank you commander, for his presence," said East Flores Regent Sulastri Rasyid when receiving assistance over KRI Ahmad Yani-351 in the Gonzalo Strait, Sunday.

He added that the humanitarian aid would then be distributed to a number of field posts in the area.

"The number of refugees has reached more than 12 thousand out of nine villages, so currently logistics is needed," he said.

KRI Commander Ahmad Yani-351 Marine Colonel Fadhlon said logistical transportation by sea had been running smoothly since departing from Surabaya to Labuan Bajo until arriving in East Flores.

"This assistance is not only from the TNI, but also from the community and local governments that we passed from Surabaya to Labuan Bajo," he said, quoted by Antara.

He explained that KRI Ahmad Yani-351 was a ship that was also on standby to help communities affected by natural disasters.

"We also stay here, if aid in Maumere is collected there, we are ready to go there, or to Kupang or other areas," he said.

KRI Ahmad Yani-351 itself cannot dock at Pelni Larantuka Port because of shallow marine waters, so it has to anchor in the Gonzalo Strait. The transfer of aid was forced to use two motorboats.

Meanwhile, Commander Lanal Maumere, Marine Colonel Anjas Wicaksono Putro, expressed his commitment to helping people affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male.

"We immediately dispatched Lanal Maumere personnel on November 4, 2024, of course in synergy with other officers, both the National Police and local governments and also coordinated with BNPB, Basarnas, Ministry of Social Affairs, Tagana, and until now we are still in the field," he said.