Emergency schools for Egon victims<\/p>\n
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara<\/p>\n
The Sikka regency administration on Flores island said on Friday
\nthat they would build temporary schools for children currently
\nlanguishing in refugee camps in Maumere town following the
\neruptions of nearby Mount Egon.<\/p>\n
Around 1,000 school-aged children were forced to abandon their
\nstudies almost two weeks ago, and many of them have exams in the
\nnear future, Sikka Regent Alexander Longginus said.<\/p>\n
He said the planned building of schools was possible as among
\nsome 4,500 refugees at the emergency shelters, many were
\nteachers.<\/p>\n
The regent said that living at refugee camps should not
\nnecessarily stop the teaching and learning process for students
\nin order for them to prepare for this year's final exams.<\/p>\n
The refugees fled their villages on the slopes of Mount Egon
\nafter it erupted on Jan. 29, spewing dark clouds of ash and
\nmolten lava.<\/p>\n
Only 1,000 of them have returned home as the volcanic
\nactivities have died down.<\/p>\n
However, many victims, including toddlers, children and
\npregnant mothers, were suffering from a variety of diseases at
\nthe camps due to lack of food, medicine and bedding.<\/p>\n
To help the refugees, the central government, through the
\nNational Coordination Agency for Disaster Management (Bakornas
\nPBP), gave Rp 100 million (US$11,904) in aid money to Maumere.<\/p>\n
The central government also provided 250 sarongs, 250 T-
\nshirts, 250 pans, 250 jugs, 250 spoons, 250 plates, 250 cartons
\nof snacks, two water trucks and a garbage truck.<\/p>\n
From the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government, the
\nrefugees received assistance of Rp 10 million and five tons of
\nrice, Longginus said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the local chapter of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI-P) pledged to send medical assistance to
\nprevent the spread of contagious diseases at the refugee camps.<\/p>\n
Areas that are prone malaria and\/or dengue mosquitoes would
\nalso be disinfected, local officials said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/emergency-schools-for-egon-victims-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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