The fate of the refugees of the Mamasa earthquake in Kalukku

Mamuju, Sulbarkita.com - It has been two weeks since dozens of residents of Mamasa Regency have settled in the Meeting Hall of Eben Haezer Church, Pokkang Village, Kalukku District. In an area within 35 kilometers of the Mamuju District Government center, they were displaced because of the earthquake that often rocked the area.

From the observation of Sulbarkita.com on Thursday, November 22, 2018, the refugees occupied a hall the size of a volleyball court with makeshift conditions. They sleep on tarps which limit their bodies to the ground. Understandably the hall has no tiles.

Even the night wind will easily enter the hall because it only has wooden walls and bamboo. So that it endangers the health of refugees and their children. But they surrendered to the condition because his house in Mamasa had been devastated by an earthquake that happened hundreds of times. "Our whole family drives passenger cars and follows other refugees here," said Junita, 31, a refugee from Osango Village, Mamasa.

Junita left her hometown with minimal supplies on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. She was unable to survive because she was worried that her area would experience liquefaction or the land would change to resemble porridge like the earthquake in Palu. Moreover, Junita has a 1 year old baby girl. "Given that (the Palu earthquake liquefaction) I was weak. Like I could not run," he said sadly.

Peter, 60, another refugee from Taupe Village, Mamasa also has the same reason for leaving his hometown. But Peter was lucky because he had been accommodated by his family in Sumarorong, Polman. "I am afraid of landslides and collapsing land," he said.

The head of the Pokkang Church Assembly, Romelius stated that the number of residents of Mamasa who were displaced by the earthquake to the area was 130 people. They are from old age to babies who are still 2 months old. Nevertheless, Romelius said that until now the local government had not intervened.

Even though their conditions are increasingly worrisome, "We have actually been promised by the Mamuju Social Service, hopefully it will be realized soon," he said.

Luckily, said Romelius, public awareness was quite large. Until now many people have distributed aid in the form of basic necessities such as instant noodles, mineral water, rice and baby diapers to refugees. However, the assistance is still considered to be limited, especially the refugees are known to still be staying long enough. Romelius also hopes that help will continue to flow from the community, "Assistance in the form of basic necessities, toiletries, sleeping blankets, etc., they still need," he said.

ERISUSANTO