The financial aid for the Semeru volcano victims was symbolically handed by Central Kalimantan Deputy Governor Edy Pratowo to East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa in Surabaya on Friday.
"On behalf of the provincial government and people of Central Kalimantan, we wish to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones to the eruption," Pratowo said.
The financial aid for mitigating the impact of the Mount Semeru eruption would hopefully be used optimally for those in need in Lumajang district, he added.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa thanked and lauded the Central Kalimantan administration for the humanitarian aid, and offered her sympathies to the affected people.
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Mount Semeru, located in two districts -- Malang and Lumajang -- in East Java, erupted on December 4, 2021, at around 3 p.m. local time, spewing incandescent lava accompanied by rumbling sounds and thick gray smoke.
The eruption claimed the lives of 43 residents, injured 104 others, and displaced several thousand residents, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
The Mt. Semeru eruption also affected 31 public facilities and caused livestock losses, the agency revealed.
A joint team of rescuers is continuing search efforts in several areas, including Curah Kobokan, Kajar Kuning, Tambang Satuhan/Kebondeli Utara, Kampong Renteng, and Kebondeli Selatan.
Residents whose houses were badly damaged by volcanic material are currently taking refuge in 121 temporary shelters located across several sub-districts, according to BNPB.
On Tuesday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inspected areas affected by the eruption to ensure assistance for refugees.
"I come here to ensure that we have put in all our efforts to find the remaining victims and evacuate them," he said in Lumajang District.
"We are also looking at the plan to repair infrastructure damaged by the eruption," the President added.
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Translator: M.Arif Hidayat, Rahmad Nasutio
Editor: Suharto
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