We are very grateful to be given the opportunity for helping others.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Alms Agency (Baznas) has started to map the construction of permanent housing for Mount Semeru eruption survivors from Pronojiwo and Candipuro Sub-districts in Lumajang District, East Java Province.

"The aid is considered very important to help the community get out of the post-eruption crisis, and return to their normal life," Head of the Distribution and Utilization Department of Baznas Saidah Sakwan remarked in a written statement received here on Friday.

She stated that for establishing permanent housing, Baznas is coordinating with the Lumajang district government as well as the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry to discuss the permanent housing development scheme.

The program is one of the agency's focuses to help residents affected by the Mount Semeru eruption on December 4, 2021, as well as to encourage the local community’s economic revival, she added.

"Thank God, our attempts have received positive responses from various parties. We are very grateful to be given the opportunity for helping others," she said.

Baznas has disbursed humanitarian assistance on target for the common good, she added.

Related news: Fifty temporary shelters opened for Mt. Semeru victims

"For instance, immediately after the eruption occurred, Baznas had dispatched a team to provide humanitarian services, such as assisting the evacuation process, establishing a public kitchen, providing clean water supply, and providing psychosocial services to communities around the volcano,” she informed.

Meanwhile, Head of Lumajang District Thoriqul Haq lauded the agency’s assistance.

The collaboration between Baznas and the Lumajang district government will facilitate the region’s recovery process, thus the activities of the residents can be resumed soon, he said.

"We and Baznas still need to discuss joint funding for the program to make it in accordance with our establishment priority since we are currently constructing a number of public facilities, including worship places, schools, and markets," he added.

Related news: Govt to help children orphaned by Mt Semeru eruption

Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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