Care for the Semeru Eruption: Relieve the Grief of Disaster Victims

Journalist : Budiardy Satria (Tzu Chi Surabaya), Photographer : Budiardy Satria (Tzu Chi Surabaya)

Tzu Chi volunteers provide assistance to displaced residents at the Refugee Post in the Candipuro Teacher Cooperative Hall, Kec. Candipuro, Kab. Lumajang, East Java.

Mount Semeru which is located in Kab. Malang and Kab. Lumajang, East Java experienced an eruption on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Volcanic ash rain covered several surrounding areas and forced residents to evacuate. As a result of this eruption, dozens of people died and many were injured due to hot clouds and cold lava flows. Many residents' houses were also damaged. For the safety and security of the residents, now residents have fled to evacuation posts. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that the status of Mount Semeru's activity was at Level II or ALERT.

The absence of early signs of an impending eruption resulted in many residents being shocked and traumatized. That day became a historical record of the occurrence of the hot lava eruption of Mount Semeru. "Hearing the heartbreaking and sad story from my grandmother's story when she was a child in 1985, the eruption of Mount Semeru scared residents away from the location of the lava flow," said Zainun, one of the coordinators of the Refugee Command Post at the Teachers Cooperative Center.

Tzu Chi volunteers in Surabaya prepare relief items for victims of the Merapi eruption on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Drinks of milk and ginger were also prepared for the officers on duty at the refugee camps and surrounding areas.

Since 1985, Mount Semeru has never shown any turmoil. Until finally the residents were complacent and forgot to always be introspective of the natural disasters caused by the highest mountain on the island of Java. The BMKG through the Lumajang BPBD has actually appealed to be vigilant since Wednesday, December 1, 2021. However, residents have paid little attention to the appeal. Until the eruption happened. Residents panicked and rushed out of their houses amid the darkness and heavy rain.

The most beautiful smile, strengthen each other's family members

"I didn't have any belongings with me, at that time I only focused on bringing my children and running with my husband to find the safest place," said Misnati (30), one of the refugees. While holding back her emotions and hugging her children, Misnati told that she had to hold in her feelings of sadness so that her children would not fall into grief. She didn't bring any treasure, the important thing was that all of her family members were safe, which made her very grateful. Even though her house and vehicle were submerged by lava and volcanic ash up to three meters high, it did not make Misnati continue to mourn her fate. Misnati is one of the small number of residents who will experience heartbreaking events at the end of 2021, there are still many other refugees who experience the same thing.

Aid trucks filled with food ingredients for the needs of the refugees.

Joy Without Complaints

Tzu Chi volunteers provide direct assistance to refugees.

Sunday morning, December 5, 2021, Tzu Chi Surabaya volunteers received directions from Tzu Chi Jakarta volunteers to visit the disaster site. With alacrity and joy, volunteers coordinated and prepared relief items quickly. At 12 noon, 8 Tzu Chi volunteers from Surabaya moved to the disaster site in Lumajang, East Java. With the assistance of the East Java Regional Police escort, the emergency response volunteers made it easier to get to the disaster site.

Arriving there, Tzu Chi volunteers immediately coordinated with the local authorities. From the observations of volunteers, many command posts have received solidarity and mutual assistance assistance from local residents who were not affected. Many residents made donations in the form of suitable clothing, basic necessities, even if it was only one or two boxes. The basic needs for public kitchens have been fulfilled. However, the number of refugees who come continues to grow and boom. There are 200 refugee families spread over 6 major evacuation post points, including: Penanggal Village Hall Office, Sumberwuluh Village Hall Office, Sumbermujur Village Hall Office, Candipuro Subdistrict Office, Candipuro Teacher Cooperative Hall, and Sumberwuluh Village Field.

The aid was handed over to the coordinator at the refugee camp.

Solidarity with one sense of sharing is also very strong seen at the location of the evacuation post points. Residents from outside Candipuro Sub-district flocked to bring relief items such as: suitable clothing, rice, oil, vegetables, and others. With empathy they are very happy to pay attention to the refugees according to their respective abilities. Solidarity that seems to show harmony in the midst of a pluralistic society.

Relentlessly, all volunteers conducted surveys and visits to several refugee camps and coordinated to distribute the aid that had been brought from Surabaya. Tzu Chi volunteers decided to channel aid to an additional post, namely the Candipuro Teacher Cooperative Hall. This post was created because the main refugee post in Candipuro sub-district, Sudan, cannot accommodate refugees who keep arriving.

The condition of the refugee camps is crowded in Candipuro District.

At this Command Post, volunteers provide assistance in the form of 600 ml mineral water (120 boxes @ 24 Btl), medical masks (40,000 pcs), mats (500 pcs), and blankets (100 sheets). Volunteers also gave instant ginger drinks to members of the police and army who served at the disaster site.

Volunteers hope that they will continue to have the opportunity to provide assistance to refugees who are still traumatized. "We are ready if later there are goods or logistical support that will be sent back to the refugees," said Amin Tanjung, Tzu Chi's emergency response coordinator in Surabaya.

Translator: Olivia Tan (Tzu Chi Volunteers)