By Arnice Agustina Ajawaila | Emergency Coordinator
YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) Interventions
In April 2024, Mount Ruang, an active volcano in Indonesia, erupted, causing significant disruption and displacing communities in the surrounding regions. The eruption on April 30 spewed ash and volcanic material, prompting residents in the affected areas to evacuate. Many sought shelters in neighbouring locations such as Manado City, Bitung Regency, North Minahasa Regency, and Tagulandang Island, where they believed they would be safe from the eruption's impact. The disaster response included efforts by organizations like YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), which provided aid to those displaced, particularly focusing on Manado City and Tagulandang Island, where some residents chose to stay despite the dangers. The eruption highlighted the ongoing risks posed by Indonesia's numerous active volcanoes and the resilience of communities living in their shadows.
YEU's assistance focuses on vulnerable groups, including the older people, people with disabilities, pregnant and nursing mothers, those with illnesses, and female-headed households, whether they are in evacuation centers or sheltering independently with relatives. For this response, YEU received USD 189 in funding from GlobalGiving, which was allocated to provide food supplies to at-risk groups at the BAPELKES Evacuation Center in Manado City. The food assistance, consisting of bananas, papayas, oranges, and more, was distributed to 85 people, including 6 elderly individuals, 13 pregnant women, 9 toddlers, 7 children under 10, 5 sick people, and 45 accompanying family members. In Tagulandang, 7 families with at-risk members received rice, sugar, and cooking oil.
The fruits provided have been especially beneficial for at-risk groups, such as the older people, the sick, and pregnant women, as the public kitchen has not included fruit in their meals, even though fruits like bananas and papayas are plentiful in their hometown. Additionally, the rice, cooking oil, and sugar have been a great help in reducing their expenses, as the eruption has caused crop failures, leaving them without a stable income. They now depend on other family members who fish to provide food, and any surplus is sold to purchase rice and other essentials.
Testimony of a displaced older person
Following the second eruption on April 30, Mrs. Grace (not her real name) who is 61 years old and her 30-year-old son, sought shelter at BAPELKES Malalayang in Manado City. Mrs. Grace, who had suffered a stroke and was unable to move independently, was evacuated by a Navy ship, covered in volcanic ash. Despite being housed in a relatively comfortable room, she remained bedridden and had to rely on her son to carry her to the bathroom. Through tears, Mrs. Grace shared that since arriving at the evacuation center, she had not been outside in the sun and struggled with digestion due to a lack of vegetables and fruits in her diet. So the fruits package had been a great help to her in addressing the digestion problem.
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