Chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, has announced that the agency will provide funding assistance to victims of Mt. Lewotobi Laki-laki's eruption while they wait for new housing.
"We will provide waiting assistance fund for victims whose houses are severely damaged. They cannot live in evacuation camps, but (in the meantime) they probably will stay at their relatives' houses, or will rent a house," he said at a press conference at the BNPB office here on Tuesday.
To help them while they wait for their new homes to be completed by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), the BNPB will dole out Rp500 thousand to each such family for six months.
Suharyanto said that the assistance will be provided for six months, with the housing also estimated to be completed in six months.
"We have told the PKP Minister that there should be 2,700 housing units, and he projected they will be completed in six months," he informed.
Suharyanto pointed out that after the Semeru eruption in 2021, the government built 1,951 relocation houses in just 135 days.
He also emphasized that the determination of the housing location will prioritize dialogue with the community.
"No one can force (the housing location) because we are an independent country, and we will have a dialogue (with the victims). For instance, the PKP Ministry or BNPB will construct the house on the land owned by the residents if they want to," he said.
PKP Minister Maruarar Sirait also emphasized that the process of relocating Mt. Lewotobi Laki-laki's victims will prioritize dialogue.
"It is up to them. We must appreciate, listen, and carefully talk with them," he added.
Editor : Vicki Febrianto
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