DDHK News, Indonesia - Some refugees from the eruption of Mount Kelud in Kediri and Malang Regencies have not been able to return to their homes, because the conditions of the houses were badly damaged.
Houses in badly damaged condition were mostly found in the areas that were worst affected by the rain of rocks, gravel and ash from Mount Kelud.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Thursday (20/02) stated that it had lowered the status of Mount Kelud from “alert” to “alert”.
This change in status has allowed people who have fled to the districts of Kediri and Malang to return to their homes.
The head of the information system utilization section of the Communication Service Office in Kediri, Farman, said that until Thursday evening, only about 6.000 refugees had returned to their homes.
"There are half and half who want it, some are not. So waiting for his house to be repaired, "said Farman to reporters Indonesian BBC, Heyder Affan, Friday (21/02), by phone.
According to him, until Thursday night, there were around 22.600 refugees who were staying in a number of refugee camps in the Kediri Regency area.
Liquid funds of IDR 100 billion
Meanwhile, there are around 19.000 houses in a badly damaged condition and urgently repaired in a number of villages in Kediri Regency, he said.
"Now in the repair process involving the TNI," said Farman.
Most of the heavily damaged houses were in the areas worst affected by the eruption of Mount Kelud.
The National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, stated that the Governor of East Java has disbursed around Rp. 100 billion for the repair of facilities, with priority on houses, clean water and electricity.
One of the residents in Pandansari Village, Ngantang District, Malang Regency, Elson Rizal, 37 years old, returned to his badly damaged house yesterday.
According to him, the rain of rocks caused the roof of his house to collapse and have holes in it, thus causing ash rain to enter the ceiling of his house up to a thickness of 5cm.
"So then (the ceiling) was hit by rain, everything fell. Take it! ” said Elson, who when called said he was repairing his house.
Need immediate assistance
Unless it has been adequately assisted by the TNI apparatus, according to him, his party has not received assistance from the relevant authorities.
"We are looking for our own people for improvement," he said, adding that he really hopes that help will come soon. "Especially now it's raining, right?"
BNPB stated that currently the relevant authorities are conducting verification until next Saturday in stages.
They stated that on Sunday (23/02) materials will be deployed to repair the damage, and in two weeks it is hoped that all of the physical repairs will be completed.
Mount Kelud, located between the districts of Kediri, Blitar and Malang Regency, erupted on Thursday last week.
Tens of thousands of people fled and the rain of volcanic ash spread to West Java and caused the closure of a number of airports on the island of Java. (bbc.co.uk/indonesia).*
