Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has assured that the stocks of basic necessities for victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, are sufficient for the next two weeks.
"In addition to government, currently, a lot of assistance is coming from many parties," he said at a press conference after a meeting with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) here on Wednesday.
He said that during the meeting, his ministry and the BNPB agreed to monitor the availability of essential items for the victims. If the stocks run low, additional supplies will be sent by the central government.
The Ministry of Social Affairs will make sure that social aid centers in East Nusa Tenggara and its surrounding areas operate effectively to meet the needs of the victims.
"Based on BNPB's experience, the availability will start to run low next month. Additional supplies will be sent at that time," Yusuf said.
According to BNPB data, the number of people taken to evacuation centers in the aftermath of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption has continued to fall.
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As of Tuesday, the number of evacuees at the seven evacuation centers set up by the BNPB and Ministry of Social Affairs had declined to 12,673 from 12,761.
Some of the evacuees have been asked to stay at their relatives' homes, which would be more comfortable, considering that the activity of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has continued to decline.
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In addition to providing financial aid of Rp500 thousand (around US$31.43) to each family for six months while they await the construction of permanent housing, the government will also give Rp15 million (around US$942.97) to the kin of the nine dead victims, he informed.
Furthermore, more than 60 injured victims will be eligible to receive Rp5 million (around US$314.22) in aid.
