We are grateful, as I have heard directly from the head of the (Lumajang) district (Thoriqul Haq) that everything has been able to be handled...Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto disbursed assistance and reviewed the condition of communities affected by the Mount Semeru eruption at the Pronojiwo 2 Junior High School refugee camp, Lumajang district, East Java, on Thursday.
"I came to Lumajang district today to see the recent situation. I want to know about any difficulty (faced by the people staying at the refugee camp) which needs to be overcome," he said, according to a press release issued here on Thursday.
The issues will be conveyed to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) later, thus there will be immediate follow-up and efforts taken to resolve the difficulties faced by the refugees, he added.
"We are grateful, as I have heard directly from the head of the (Lumajang) district (Thoriqul Haq) that everything has been able to be handled -- I am impressed (with the local government’s efforts)," he remarked.
Furthermore, the minister met the elderly refugees and asked about their condition at the refugee camp.
He lauded the hard work of the local government, military, and police who have been agile in assisting the communities at the refugee camp.
Subianto also urged all parties to help each other and work together to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
"We all should work together. The strong ones help the weak. The lucky ones assist the less fortunate. That is Indonesia. Indonesians uphold mutual cooperation. Indonesians have always lived as one family, hence we help each other," he remarked.
In addition, the minister also visited refugees at Supiturang 04 Public Elementary School.
Meanwhile, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) maintained Level 4 or caution alert issued for Mount Semeru.
Acting head of the Geological Agency of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Muhammad Wafid, said that although its volcanic activity has started to decline, Mount Semeru still has the potential to spew hot clouds and eject lava, thus the alert level has been maintained.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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