Speed Up Relocation Of Refugees From Mount Sinabung Region: President

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has instructed ministries concerned to expedite the construction of houses to relocate the 370 families displaced due to the eruption of Mount Sinabung in Karo district, North Sumatra.

Some 130 houses have already been constructed, and 370 more will be ready by August, Jokowi said during a limited cabinet meeting here on Thursday.

The head of state added that facilities for electricity and clean water have yet to be set up in the new resettlement area.

Jokowi has directed the state-owned enterprises minister and the director of the state electricity company to provide electricity in the new resettlement area as soon as possible.    

He has also asked the Public Works Ministry to provide facilities for clean water supply and the social affairs minister to give the refugees necessary household equipment and furniture.

These facilities are needed to resolve the refugee crisis permanently, he remarked.

On June 2, authorities raised the alert status of Mount Sinabung, which erupted five years ago, to the highest level.    

In addition, the government has declared the area within a seven-kilometer radius of the volcano's peak a danger zone that no one is allowed to enter.

A number of villages in Karo district, including Bekerah, Sukanalu and Mardinding, have been affected by the ash clouds spewed by the volcano.

Some 10,606 people, or 3,121 families, were displaced as a result of the natural disaster and are being accommodated in 10 refugee camps.

These camps are located in Jambur Lau Buah Batu, Kabanjahe Catholic Church, KNPI Kabanjahe Hall, GBKP Kabanjahe Hall, Jambur Sempajaya, Surbakti Orange Warehouse, Jambur Tongkoh, Jambur Korpri, Jambur Tanjung Mbelang, and GPDI Ndokum Church.

The refugees are from 11 villages, namely Gurukinayan, Tiga Pancur, Pintu Besi, Sukanalu, Berastepu, Jaraya, Kutatengah, Sigarang Garang, Mardingding, Kutagugung, and Kutarayat. (WDY)