Disaster Risk Reduction in Indonesia
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on November 6, 2024.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
On November 4, Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki violently erupted, resulting in significant damage and loss. Located on the Ring of Fire, which is dotted with more than 10 volcanoes, the island of Flores—where the eruption took place—is no stranger to volcanic activity.
In the villages of Hokeng Jaya, Dulipali and Klatanlo, large fragments of stone damaged houses and buildings.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
Days before the eruption, a village disaster committee in Dulipali—the town nearest to the volcano—was already on high alert. They monitored the situation, communicated with village officials, and informed community members of the impending danger. When the eruption occurred, committee members worked with government officials and other local organizations to quickly mobilize the villagers for evacuation and save lives.
Fransiskus Pukakaha leads a village disaster committee in Dulipali, where he helps manage a camp for displaced people.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
Fransiskus Pukakaha, who leads the disaster committee in Dulipali, recounted being at home with his wife and two children the night of the eruption.
“Near midnight we heard a boom like an explosion,” he said. “We thought it was the sound of lightning or thunder. A few minutes later, I heard rocks scattering and hitting the roof of the house. I directed my wife and children to stand near the wall of the house to avoid the volcanic rock fragments.”
A dormitory for students in Klatanlo village was severely damaged.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
In June of 2024, Fransiskus and other community members received training through a disaster risk reduction project led by Catholic Relief Services and our local partners and funded by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Through this project, a committee was formed to prepare for sudden disasters.
Dulipali village office was covered in ash and grit after the eruption.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
“After the disaster committee was formed, we received training and conducted a village disaster assessment in June 2024,” says Fransiskus. “We mapped and determined the assembly point, and this really helped us save ourselves.”
A camp for displaced people in Lewologa.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
After the eruption, six camps for evacuees were established. Fransiskus and his team played a crucial role in organizing displaced people, distributing relief items and ensuring access to essential services. They prioritized support for vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities, the elderly, children and pregnant women.
Women clean rice that supplies the kitchen at a camp for displaced people.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
Fransiskus Pukakaha helps prepare portable desks for students in a camp for displaced people.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
In addition to managing the immediate disaster response, the committee is collaborating with the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency and the local government to identify and safely relocate people living in high-risk zones.
Cocoa seeds dried out and died after exposure to heat during the eruption.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
“Our crops have been scorched and destroyed by the volcanic ash,” Fransiskus says. “As rain begins to fall and shoots have started to grow, we must persevere. In the future, we are determined to restore our farms and businesses in our new relocation site.”
Community members help distribute food in Bokang.
Photo by Ester Narek for CRS
CRS is coordinating closely with Caritas Indonesia, local partner Yayasan Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Sosial, village disaster committees and others to provide emergency relief to survivors of this volcano. Assistance includes counseling, shelter, food and access to clean water.
A girl walks through a camp for displaced people.
Photo by Edu Mungga/CRS
