Rp2.6 Billions Send to Sinabung Refugees

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian Social Ministry will send aid worth Rp2.6 billion for the Mount Sinabung refugees following the extension of emergency status to January 18.

"We are planning to send aid for the Mount Sinabung refugees on Thursday, January 9, through the North Sumatera Social Department," stated the Social Ministry's Director of Natural Disaster Victims Protection Margowiyono, here on Wednesday.

Goods packed with foods, clothes and kid wares will be shipped. Previously, the North Sumatera Social Department had also sent 900 packets of foods to the refugees on Monday, January 6.

Margowiyono added that the central government will continue to support the local government in maintaining the welfare of Mount Sinabung's refugees on both logistic needs and mitigation process.

The current emergency status of Mount Sinabung is at the fourth level or "Warning" status, which bans local villagers from doing any activities within the radius of five to seven kilometers from the volcano's crater.

The refugee number has now reached 22,145 people, which spreads across 33 camps, including 1,204 elderly, 179 pregnant women and 606 infants. (*/DWA)