By: Aulia Hawa )*
The government continues to accelerate the management of the Semeru eruption, both by evacuating victims and accelerating the relocation of settlements. The government through the relevant agencies is also moving quickly so that the refugees in Semeru will not starve and suffer in the refugee camps.
The Semeru eruption made Lumajang look like an area covered in gray color, because everything from the soil, roof tiles, to people’s belongings was exposed to ash vomit. The bridge also broke due to the enormity of the hot ash. Residents immediately ran to save themselves and fled for fear of further eruptions or even lava spewed by Mount Semeru.
The government moved quickly to evacuate victims, there was even a slogan ‘1 minute 1 life’. Evacuation must be done quickly because who knows there are still trapped under the rubble and still alive. Meanwhile, when someone has become a corpse, it must also be immediately removed so that it can be properly buried, of course accompanied by the prayers of his family.
According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), on the fifth day after the Semeru eruption, there were 43 fatalities, 104 injuries, 31 public facilities damaged, 764 cows and 648 goats killed. Meanwhile, the material losses cannot be calculated because many houses were damaged, although not completely damaged.
The government promised to continue evacuating victims, of course with the assistance of the apparatus and a team of volunteers. There were many volunteer teams from all over Indonesia who came to Lumajang to help with the evacuation process and they worked sincerely without asking for a penny.
Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq came to a number of locations affected by the Semeru eruption and also refugee camps, accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff (KSAD) General Dudung Abdurrachman. The arrival of the Army Chief of Staff to check the readiness of the TNI AD soldiers in helping the handling of victims of the Semeru eruption.
In a sense, the task of the TNI AD is not only to fight to defend Indonesia’s sovereignty but also to intervene immediately when there are people who become victims of disasters, because the army is the people’s friend. The personnel of the TNI soldiers are very much needed, especially for the evacuation process, which is quite a long and arduous process.
KSAD General Dudung added that after checking he was absolutely sure that everything was ready and supporting each other, both at the refugee command post and at the Kodim. TNI AD will assist the relocation process optimally. Both personnel and materially, everything is ready if ordered by the regent to immediately relocate.
The Regent of Lumajang Thoriqul Haq stated that the plan was to have 3 places for relocation, namely in Oro-Oro Ombo Village, Supit Urang, and Penanggal. Coordination continues to make the relocation run smoothly.
Relocation must be done quickly because the hunt with time. Do not let refugees secretly return to their homes for fear of losing their valuables, instead becoming victims because there are more violent aftershocks. They must obey the rules and obey when they are relocated, because it is for the safety of all.
The community is happy because there is attention from various parties, from the government to the Army. Even President Jokowi himself had time to visit Lumajang to see the current condition of the refugees, whether they had received assistance or not.
The government is seriously dealing with the impact of the Semeru eruption so that no refugees will die of hunger or be buried under buildings. The evacuation process is carried out quickly so that there are no more casualties, or when someone has died they can be buried immediately in a religious manner and properly. The people of Lumajang are happy because the government’s attention is so great.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute