East Flores, East Nusa Tenggar (ANTARA) - Temporary housing for thousands of people affected by the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption will be ready by year's end, according to Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno.

"We need it finished soon due to the rainy season and expect refugees to be housed by Christmas and New Year," he said during his visit to Konga Village in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and contractors committed to completing the work within two months.

The temporary housing will be constructed simultaneously with the new permanent housing project by the Ministry of Housing and Settlements, which will take about 5.5 months.

Meanwhile, BNPB Chief Suharyanto said that around 200 military officers will be deployed to help build at least 400 temporary housing units for the 2,079 affected families. He noted that it would take a week to complete one unit.

The temporary housing units will be handed over in batches to refugees, with each unit accommodating up to five families.

BNBP expert staff member Colonel Hery Setiono said that the temporary housing units will be built on two land plots in Konga Village with a total area of 11 hectares.

Each unit, measuring 6 x 18 meters, will have a cast floor, light steel framing, and a zinc roof. It will have five rooms, each for one family.

Temporary schools, function rooms, and places of worship will also be built in the housing complex.

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Translator: Gecio Viana, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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