Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, has said that his ministry has sent logistics assistance for the victims of the latest eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
According to a press release issued in Jakarta on Monday, the ministry has dispatched assistance from its logistics warehouse at the Efata Center in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.
The ministry has also sent a team from the Directorate of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA) and Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) to the affected location.
"Currently, the priority is the evacuation of victims; the Tagana team is already at the location helping with the evacuation and search for victims. At the same time, we are also launching logistical assistance," Yusuf informed.
The assistance is in the form of 1,500 ready-to-eat food packages and one thousand children's food packages. In addition, the ministry has established a public kitchen to provide food to affected families.
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In terms of non-food assistance, the ministry has distributed 400 mattresses, 500 blankets, and 300 family kit and kids ware packages.
He further said that the ministry has handed out 300 adult and children's clothing packages, 400 roll-up tents, 40 velbed units, 10 multipurpose tents, and 2 portable toilet units to support the affected community's need for adequate shelter and sanitation facilities.
The minister added that the East Flores local authority has so far identified three evacuation points so the Tagana team can join the evacuation process.
For logistics assistance, besides assistance from the Efata Center to help meet logistical needs at the disaster site, the ministry has a social barn in Ilebura sub-district, which is 2 kilometers from the location, he informed.
The social barn has routinely distributed necessities since the eruption of Mount Lewotobi last year.
To support the availability of aid at the Ilebura barn, the ministry is encouraging the provision of assistance from social service warehouses around East Flores.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has reportedly erupted 871 times this year.
On Sunday, an eruption was recorded in the volcano at 11:57 p.m. local time. As per the latest data, the eruption has left 10 people dead and several people injured.
The ministry is working with the local authorities to evacuate and collect data on the victims, including those who died, in order to pay compensation to their kin.
