"Based on our calculation, by the end of the emergency response period on April 29, 2024, the need for food for more than five thousand refugees will be around 14 tons," he remarked on Monday.
According to Jarwansyah, the need for 14 tons can be met or even surpassed due to assistance from the North Sulawesi provincial government amounting to 23 tons, plus additional food stock from the BNPB.
"Information from the deputy governor of North Sulawesi stated that 23 tons of rice will be sent over," he remarked.
Meanwhile, his agency also increased supplies by 8.5 tons, including five tons of stock in the warehouse that will be delivered to eruption refugees.
In addition, data collection was conducted at 13 evacuation points, Jarwansyah stated.
"At these evacuation points, we gather data on the number of elderly, children, men, women, and students as well," he remarked.
He noted that one of the obstacles is fluctuating data since several residents did not stay at the evacuation points but rather took shelter at their relatives' houses.
Hence, to this end, the BNPB, along with related officials, appealed to residents affected by the eruption to come and report to evacuation points to be recorded.
According to data from the Sitaro Islands district government, some 3,582 refugees were affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang on Ruang Island, and they had been handled.
Mount Ruang can be reached using a fast boat from Manado Port in around three to four hours.
Mount Ruang erupted on April 16, 2024, after an increase in seismic activity. The PVMBG raised its status thrice on the same day.
The status was then lowered to Level III (Alert) after there were no more visible eruptions and a decrease in seismicity.
Related news: Mount Ruang's eruption-affected residents to be relocated: Governor
Related news: BNPB closes visits to Pumpente, Laingpatuhe villages near Mount Ruang
Translator: Karel Alexander P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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