The Heartbreaking Story of Yuliana, Who Broke Her Leg in the Earthquake While Visiting Her Grandchild in West Manggarai
In Ntalung Village, Coal Village, Kuwus District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, activity is still visible around the evacuation tents. Residents move in and out of the tents, officers distribute aid, while a number of people ensure the needs of earthquake victims are met.
In one corner of a tent, a middle-aged woman lies on a makeshift mat. She is enduring pain in her broken right leg. The woman is named Yuliana Soli Ledi, a resident of Central Sumba Regency.
Yuliana came to Ntalung Village to visit her daughter, Yublina Wairu Gore, who had just given birth to her first child. She came bringing happiness to meet her child and grandchild. However, the earthquake changed everything in an instant.
When the tremors occurred, Yuliana panicked and tried to run out of the house. As she reached the doorway, wall material collapsed and struck her right leg, breaking it.
After being evacuated from the rubble, Yuliana, along with her child and grandchild, was taken to an evacuation tent set up by residents and officers. Kuwus Police Chief Inspector Arsilinus, together with a medical team, then provided initial treatment at the site.
Yuliana was advised to undergo intensive treatment at Komodo Regional Hospital in Labuan Bajo to receive bone surgery. However, after discussing with her family, she chose to pursue traditional treatment in her hometown in Central Sumba.
Yuliana was eventually flown to Central Sumba on Thursday (20/8). “We have made maximum efforts to persuade and provide medical understanding so that Mama Yuliana would agree to be referred to Komodo Regional Hospital in Labuan Bajo to receive adequate bone surgery treatment,” explained Inspector Arsilinus on Monday (24/8).
Although the family chose traditional treatment, the police remain committed to monitoring Yuliana’s condition through local community police officers until she is confirmed to have arrived home and received proper care.
“We certainly respect the family’s decision. However, we will continue to monitor Mama Yuliana’s condition through the local community police officers until she is confirmed to have arrived home,” he added.
Yuliana’s story illustrates how the earthquake not only damaged buildings but also changed the course of residents’ lives. However, after residents fled to evacuation tents, another problem emerged: the security of the homes they left behind.
When night falls, the tents become places for residents to rest, while the abandoned houses fall silent. Inside them are still stored clothes, documents, furniture, and belongings that cannot all be brought to the evacuation sites.
To prevent criminal acts, Kuwus Police have increased dialogic patrols and preventive patrols at night in the empty residential areas.
“When residents are in evacuation tents, their homes become empty and vulnerable. Therefore, preventive patrols (crime prevention) are increased at night to provide residents with a sense of security that their belongings remain protected,” said Inspector Arsilinus.
In addition to maintaining security, officers are also recording the condition of residents’ homes and vulnerable groups requiring special attention. Community police officers are tasked with mapping the damage while also recording babies, toddlers, breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly.
Kuwus Police are also coordinating with Kuwus Community Health Centre and Coal Village Government to ensure the availability of medicines, regular health services, and nutritional needs for toddlers at the evacuation posts remain fulfilled.
Night falls over Ntalung Village. Inside the tents, residents try to rest after exhausting days, while outside, police personnel continue to patrol the settlements abandoned by their inhabitants.