EAST FLORES, EAST NUSA TENGGARA — The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki since Monday (04/11/2024) has cast a shadow over the lives of many people in East Flores. Not only has it displaced thousands of people, but it has also had a major impact on the economy and infrastructure in the region. It has also had a major impact on people’s way of life, and this hints at the potential long-term challenges they may face.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of these natural disasters, we witness their indomitable spirit and resilience. The story of Marta Namu Soge, a survivor of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption and her villagers is a testament to the human ability to persevere in the face of adversity.
Marta is a resident of Nobo Village, Ile Bura Sub-district, East Flores Regency (Flotim), East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). She and her family and villagers are currently taking refuge in an abandoned building in the middle of a rice field in Konga Village, Titehena Sub-District, Flotim Regency, NTT Province.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa distributes clean water to male Mount Lewotobi eruption survivors
The building is quite large, equivalent to a logistics warehouse. The difference is that the building has no walls, only a roof and supporting pillars, so it is still fairly safe and cool. The surrounding rice fields are a feast for the eyes, complete with streams and a direct view of Mount Lewotobi, so they can directly monitor the condition of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki.
In the midst of the situation, the kindness and compassion of the community to help each other continues to flow. Dompet Dhuafa through the Disaster Management Center (DMC), volunteers and the NTT branch has taken an important role in distributing much-needed assistance, food services, shelter, and medical care for those in need. Marta is grateful that there are still many parties who care about their survival. One of them is Dompet Dhuafa’s Disaster Management Center (DMC).
“Assistance from the evacuation post also reached here. One of them is ready-to-eat food which is given three times a day,” said Marta.
However, the challenges faced by the community are far from over. The long-term consequences of the eruption, such as soil erosion, water contamination, and the psychological impact on survivors, will require continued efforts from the government and humanitarian organizations. As we continue to support those affected by this disaster, it is important to remember that our assistance is not just about providing immediate relief but also about building a more resilient and sustainable future.
“If the food aid from the main post is late, we can cook by ourselves, we have this independent kitchen post. But our kitchen equipment is not very complete, sometimes we need kerosene to cook for the children. Sometimes the children want to eat porridge, so we are a bit short of kerosene,” said Marta sadly.
Although the striking difference before the eruption – apart from the slightly more difficult access to daily necessities – is that their intimacy with each other is much stronger than before the eruption.
“On the downside, when I’m at home, I’m always busy. Busy taking care of the household, cooking, washing, sometimes we rarely meet our family neighbors. But during this incident, we were able to gather together, laugh and joke, do the laundry, cook and eat together, and we were able to share a little bit with everyone,” Marta admitted.
According to Marta, the previous eruption of the mountain was not as severe as the current one. At that time, activities in the village were still possible, but this time the tremors and ashes were much greater, forcing them to evacuate to their current camp.
The story of Marta and her community is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail. Their resilience is an inspiration to us all, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they get the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Behind every crisis, there is inspiration to take action and support the affected communities. Friends, let’s pray for our brothers and sisters who are survivors of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki, also channel assistance for them through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donate/erupsilewotobi. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Fajar
Editor: Dhika