Lewotobi Survivors Still Need Government Assistance

Lewotobi Survivors Still Need Government Assistance

REINHA.com – Behind the partition of the Temporary Housing Complex (Huntara), which was quiet with the activities of the male Mount Lewotobi survivors, Andreas Sura could be heard chattering, Friday, May 1 2026 evening. The orphaned man was anxious because he only had two handfuls of rice left in his stock.

Andreas and male Lewotobi survivors in East Flores Regency, NTT, last received rice aid in February 2026. Each person received three kilograms of rice for the first 15 days. Until May or around the next 80 days, aid was no longer distributed.

Andreas, who lives alone, is required to rack his brains to be able to live in a refugee camp. The 23 year old man sells cakes with capital from his family who lives outside the area. He is skilled at making cakes thanks to the teachings of his late mother, Helena Diaz.

“The proceeds from selling cakes are used to buy rice,” he said. He could still smile. His character is also known to be cheerful, even in the most difficult situations.

Andreas usually goes around in the morning or afternoon, taking advantage of the residents’ leisure time sitting on the Huntara terrace while sipping hot coffee.

He admitted that his merchandise was often not sold out. Most buyers have fixed incomes such as ASN. IDR 30,000 a day. Since buyers are sluggish and there is no capital, Andreas rarely sells.

In Huntara, economic activity began to grow. Residents there opened basic food stalls, selling fish, fruit and vegetables that they harvested from their native villages in the disaster red zone. Some of them sell water and open tire and furniture repair businesses.

However, purchasing power is relatively sluggish. Around 90 percent of the refugees make their living as farmers, where their agricultural produce has not been stable due to two years of disaster. Eruptive activity is still occurring, last observed on April 26 2026.

Survivors were forced to take desperate measures by cultivating gardens in the red zone. The cost of going to and returning to the refugee camp is IDR 30,000. In order to reduce costs, they even stayed for several days.

“Staying in a refugee camp means we can’t eat, we have to work,” said survivor Andreas Koban.

According to him, residents still need assistance, especially rice. This basic logistics is considered the most urgent amidst unstable economic conditions.

“We can do business regarding side dishes, we have a little produce in the garden, then in the Huntara we also grow vegetables,” he explained.

Andreas was sad when he read the comments of a handful of people who thought survivors didn’t work. In fact, every day they struggle to earn rupiah while carrying physical and psychological burdens.

On the other hand, independent refugees who have lived in family homes for two years are starting to feel uncomfortable. Many asked the village government to let them live in Huntara. This was increasingly felt after the Residential Waiting Fund (DTH) was no longer disbursed.

Responding to this, the Head of the East Flores BPBD Emergency and Logistics Division, Maria Goreti AC Nebo Tukan, revealed that the rice supply in the warehouse had run out. The remaining logistics stock, said Goreti, has been distributed to residents affected by the earthquake on Adonara Island.

Goreti said the government continues to try to help survivors amidst conditions in an area that is being surrounded by many disasters. The budget through the Unexpected Expenditure (BTT) post is being submitted for rice procurement.

“At the BTT, it is still being proposed to be able to buy rice. At the Dinsos (Social Service) the BTT has been purchased but maybe it hasn’t dropped yet,” he said.***(Paul Kabelen)

# Lewotobi Survivors Still Need Government Assistance