Prabowo conveys condolences, ensures aid for Mt. Lewotobi victims

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his condolences to the families of victims of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Prabowo also ensured that the needs of affected residents during the emergency response period were met.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno made the remarks at a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the results of the coordination meeting on emergency response to the impact of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki.

According to Pratikno, the president delegated the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head, Suharyanto, and Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono to directly ensure that all emergency response efforts are running properly and swiftly.

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He highlighted that they will also bring logistical assistance for disaster victims from the central government, which is currently on the way.

However, the entourage needed to take a detour from Jakarta to the closest area with an active airport due to the closure of four airports for direct flights to NTT.

The minister explained that the journey would be continued using land transportation and sea crossing to East Flores.

Pratikno explained that the emergency response would prioritize the residents' evacuation in the affected areas within the radius of the eruption, providing adequate refugee camps, ensuring open distribution routes and access to logistical aid, and reliable health services along with detailed victim data assessment by name and address to facilitate further action.

The BNPB reported that around 2,735 families, or 10,295 residents, were affected by this volcanic eruption. They are residents of 14 villages in the sub-districts of Ile Bura, Titehena, and Wulanggitang in East Flores District.

As of Monday night, 1,403 victims were successfully moved to evacuation sites by the joint SAR team, including nine people who died and one person in critical condition.

The East Flores district head has set an emergency response status until December 31, 2024. This status is an important basis as an administrative requirement to carry out all efforts to handle disaster victims.

"Most importantly, we should evacuate all residents within a radius of seven kilometers, then we can move on to the next stage," Pratikno revealed.