EAST FLORES, EAST NUSA TENGGARA — Due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male which occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, many water sources were closed, causing a clean water crisis. Dompet Dhuafa through the Disaster Management Center (DMC) and Dompet Dhuafa East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), distributed clean water to overcome the clean water crisis suffered by survivors on Monday (11/11/2024).
The distribution of clean water was carried out in several evacuation posts, including Titehena High School, Titehena 1 Junior High School in Gonolule Hamlet, Lewolaga Village, Titehena District, East Flores Regency, NTT.
The eruption forced more than 10,000 people to flee. It also destroyed residential neighborhoods and caused severe damage at the foot of the mountain. The ongoing eruption has widened the affected zone and increased the number of evacuees in posts experiencing a clean water crisis. Many water sources were covered by eruption materials. The condition is exacerbated by the long drought which reduces the water supply, making the need for water in refugee camps even more urgent.
Mida Dwi Nurlina, in charge of Dompet Dhuafa’s DMC response to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male, reported that the expansion of the affected radius to 9 kilometers led to an increase in the number of refugees and an increase in evacuation posts. As a result, the demand for water supply for the daily needs of survivors in refugee camps is getting higher.
“As the number of evacuation sites increases and the number of evacuees increases, the need for water increases, each person 20 liters per day. Meanwhile, there are few springs or clean water sources,” said Mida.
Dompet Dhuafa’s DMC team distributes clean water to water reservoirs located in each evacuation post. The distribution of clean water carried out by DMC Dompet Dhuafa is expected to be able to overcome problems related to the clean water crisis of the survivors of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male.
“Therefore, in each refugee post, the biggest challenge is clean water because in one refugee post there can be up to 600 to 700 people. It is also drought season here, so the need for clean water increases,” continued Mida.
Mida also reported that the eruption continued until today, Tuesday (11/12/2024) morning. This condition prompted the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to set the eruption coverage zone to 9 kilometers from the active crater.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Responds Quickly to Mount Lewotobi Male Eruption
The expansion of the eruption danger sectoral zone has increased the number of refugees. The Dompet Dhuafa DMC team in charge of the Mount Lewotobi Male eruption response will continue to strive to ensure that the basic needs of the survivors are met.
In addition to the distribution of clean water assistance, Dompet Dhuafa continues to strive to roll out assistance in the form of Warm Post services, Public Kitchens, Logistics (food and non-food), evacuation, and establishing emergency mosques.
Let us lend a hand to support the survivors of the Mount Lewotobi Male eruption. In the midst of this great challenge, we can be a joint force to help them rise and rebuild a better life. May strength and hope always accompany them through these difficult times, help them at digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donate/erupsilewotobi. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri & MAA DMC
Editor: Dhika