Indonesia to launch reconstruction effort following Mount Lewotobi eruptions


A volunteer stands near collapsed houses following the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano eruptions, in East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, November 6, 2024. - Photo: Antara via Reuters

JAKARTA: (Bernama-Xinhua) The Indonesian government will carry out a reconstruction and rehabilitation programme in the areas devastated by the eruptions of Mount Lewotobi in East Nusa Tenggara province, a minister announced on Wednesday (Nov 13), reported Xinhua.

More than 2,000 houses, buildings and other infrastructure have been destroyed since the initial eruption of Mount Lewotobi on Nov 4, which left 10 people dead, 63 injured, and displaced about 4,000 residents.

"We are committed to assuring the disaster-affected communities that we will carry out a thorough reconstruction and rehabilitation programme," said Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono.

"We must ensure that those who have lost their homes or other belongings receive solutions - whether rebuilding, reconstruction, or alternative schemes," Yudhoyono told reporters at the Jakarta Convention Centre.

To prepare for the plan's implementation, Yudhoyono said he had coordinated with Minister of Housing and Settlement, Maruarar Sirait.

"Minister Sirait will visit the eruption-affected areas today or tomorrow to directly assess the extent of the destruction before we take strategic steps," Yudhoyono said.

As of Wednesday, Mount Lewotobi continued to erupt, and more than 13,000 residents have taken shelter as the danger zone has been extended to nine km.

The local disaster management and mitigation agency has established at least three evacuation centres equipped with health facilities, logistics and essential supplies for the evacuees, according to Richard Felt, a senior official at the agency.

Mount Lewotobi, standing at 1,584 metres, is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes. - Bernama-Xinhua

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Aseanplus News

The world gets its first glimpse inside Notre Dame Cathedral after five-years under wraps
Thai PM Paetongtarn orders immediate relief measures for flood-hit southern provinces
France requests transfer of death row convict held in Indonesia: minister
Ex-Chinese gymnast Wu Liufang blasted by Olympic champion for posting ‘sexy’ videos online
Police officer, wife get sentenced to prison for trafficking, severely injuring maid
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Nov 29, 2024)
Divorces in China on the rise again despite mandatory cooling-off period
Singapore hangs fourth person in three weeks - this time an Iranian for drug trafficking offences
Floods and landslides kill 31 people in Indonesia's North Sumatra
Yet another accident at Bangkok's notorious elevated highway - Two killed as construction crane collapses on Rama II Road

Others Also Read