The Yogyakarta City Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has sent humanitarian aid ranging from masks to boots for Lumajang district residents affected by the recent eruption of Mount Semeru.

“The assistance has been prepared according to the necessity of the Lumajang disaster mitigation agency. Thus hopefully it can be used immediately,” the agency’s head, Nur Hidayat, said here on Wednesday while dispatching the aid along with Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi.

The assistance comprised 20 thousand medical masks, four thousand hand sanitizers, 576 bath soaps, and 100 pairs of boots that were transported to Lumajang by using two cars of the Yogyakarta city disaster mitigation agency.

“We also sent four personnel to coordinate regarding which aids are still needed,” Hidayat said.

If it turns out that further assistance is required and the regional agency is able to fulfill it, the assistance will be included in the next delivery, he added.

“Furthermore, if Lumajang district BPBD still needs evacuation personnel, we will also coordinate about it,” Hidayat said.

However, Yogyakarta city BPBD will need some personnel to stay so that they can be deployed if a disaster occurs in the city, he added.

“It is highly possible for any disaster to happen amid this rainy season, thus, we still have to keep several personnel on standby in Yogyakarta city,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi said that the assistance showed the empathy and concern of Yogyakarta residents for Lumajang district residents.

“Hopefully, the assistance can ease the burden of Mount Semeru eruption victims,” he remarked.

The aid is also aimed at strengthening mutual solidarity as the disaster has occurred amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thus the victims’ burden has been heavier, he said.

The deputy mayor also asked the assistance delivery team to remain careful so that the aid can be disbursed well, he added. In addition, they should maintain the honor of Yogyakarta city, he remarked.

“If there is a request for additional assistance, we will do our best to fulfill it according to our ability,” he added.

Source: Antara News