Govt to provide Rp 500m to Mt Lokon eruption victims

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta 07/16/2011


Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono announced on Saturday that the government would provide Rp 500 million (US$58,500)for assisting the needs of nearly 5,000 evacuees following the eruptions of Mount Lokon in Tomohon, North Sulawesi.

Agung said that the Tomohon city administration would manage the money.

“However, we will require reports on the use of the funds,” Agung said, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He added that the government would allocate additional funds if the initial amount was insufficient in meeting the needs of all victims.

“The prevailing law requires the government to be responsible during any natural disaster,” Agung said during his visit to disaster posts in Tomohon.

Mount Lokon erupted on Thursday evening after several days of increasing volcanic activity.

As of Saturday, some 4,836 people living near the volcano had fled their homes in search of safety.