Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka presided over a coordination meeting on the response to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, East Flores district, East Nusa Tenggara, at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) office on Tuesday.
In a statement issued the same day, he informed that the meeting focused on discussing quick steps to ensure that the disaster victims can feel the government's presence during the emergency response status period.
"We want the government to be present in times of emergency like this," VP Gibran said in the statement.
He also emphasized the importance of careful planning in the short, medium, and long term to handle the impact of the eruption. The planning would need to cover ensuring logistics supplies; anticipating health problems due to eruptions; special handling of toddlers, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and the elderly; and mitigating the potential for lava floods.
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At the meeting here, VP Gibran also stressed the importance of data synchronization by stakeholders so that disaster impact handling can be on target. At the meeting, several ministers, BNPB chief Suharyanto, and other related officials delivered presentations on ongoing steps and the actions that will be carried out in the future.
VP Gibran also asked officials to make the utmost efforts to ensure the safety of residents. He said that the results of the meeting would be reported to President Prabowo Subianto.
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"From now on, we will report meeting results to Mr. Prabowo," he informed.
It is expected that with full support from the government, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police, and relevant ministries, all disaster response activities can run effectively, and the affected communities can recover quickly, he added.
