BNPB Assures Basic Needs of 11,553 Lewotobi Refugees Have Been Fulfilled

TheIndonesia.co - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Suharyanto has assured that the government has fulfilled the basic needs of the 11,533 people displaced by Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's eruptions, who are currently lodged in eight refugee shelters.

"As per today, there are no complaints about the availability of foods, drinks, and clean water. However, we will add more toiletries," he said at a press conference after an eruption coordination meeting chaired by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.

Suharyanto added that six of the refugee shelters are in East Flores district, while the remaining two are located in Sikka district.

However, due to the severe impact of volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi on Sikka, refugees residing at the two shelters will be gradually shifted to East Flores, he informed.

The BNPB leader further said that the governments of the affected regions have highlighted the need to operate ferries to support mobility.

"We will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Transportation to address this matter," he added.

Furthermore, Suharyanto informed that the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) will dispatch the frigate KRI Ahmad Yani to support the handling of the eruption victims.

Housing and Settlement Minister Maruarar Sirait, who also attended the meeting, underscored that the government will build around 1,100 houses for those displaced by the eruptions after the Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Ministry verifies the legal status of the selected land parcels.

He emphasized that the central government will coordinate with regional leaders to ensure that the houses are built at locations that are both safe from disasters and not far from agricultural areas, considering that most of the refugees are farmers.