Diseases hit Sikka people after Egon eruption

Yemris Fointuna and Yacob Herin , The Jakarta Post, Kupang/Maumere

Shortages of food, medicine and bedding have been blamed for the spread of disease among thousands of refugees who fled their homes after Mount Egon erupted in Sikka regency, Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara.

Some 5,600 refugees, mostly women and children, were evacuated from the slopes of the volcano to the neighboring town of Maumere for fear of larger volcanic eruptions.

Around 3,000 were reported trapped in affected areas but were later evacuated to join others in Maumere after authorities sent 30 trucks to carry them there.

The volcano started spewing dark clouds of ash and molten lava on Thursday but reduced its activities on Monday.

However, officials said the total of those suffering from respiratory problems, dengue fever, malaria and diarrhea continued to increase.

At least 27 victims were receiving medical care at the TC. Hitler hospital in Maumere, while others were being treated at local community health centers, they added.

Sikka health office head Ignatius H. Keron acknowledged that dozens of refugees had fallen sick due to lack of food, medicine, clean water, bedding and sanitation.

He also blamed the spread of disease on depression and fatigue on the part of refugees who had fled some 30 kilometers to Maumere on foot or in vehicles brought in by local authorities.

"Most of the sick refugees are suffering from respiratory problems, malaria, dengue fever and diarrhea," Ignatius said.

He said his office had deployed all available medical staff to help the victims currently being accommodated in at least 13 separate locations in Maumere, including government offices.

Ignatius said the stock of medicine for the refugees was "very limited" and would be enough to cover basic needs for only a week.

"We hope the central government will soon send us medical supplies," he added.

Most of the refugees are residents from the worst-affected villages of Hale, Hebing, Natakoli, Egon Gahar and Watu Diran in Bola subdistrict.

"The government will send home refugees from several villages categorized as safer areas, while those from the slopes will stay at temporary accommodation centers until the situation there is judged to be safe," Sikka Regent Aleks Longginus said.

He said volcanic activities began to decrease on Monday, with Mount Egon spewing less ash and lava from its crater.

However, the local authorities maintained the danger status of first alert for the 1,703-meter volcano.

"During Monday there were no signs of increasing activity. The local volcanology agency has still maintained top alert status, which will be reevaluated every day after monitoring ongoing developments," Longginus said.

Meanwhile, church leaders in Maumere reported theft from houses abandoned by refugees and urged the local administration to stop the crime there or send the victims home soon.

Romo Yacobus Soba, head of the Maumere-based Santo Thomas Morus church, said on Monday he had sent a team of activists to the slopes in Sikka; they discovered some refugees' belongings had been stolen by those who had stayed behind.

Thieves even came went to Sikka in cars to loot empty houses there, he added.