Lombok Remains in Focus

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Two Muslim villagers walk among the rubble of homes destroyed by the earthquake on their way to join the Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) morning prayer on Wednesday (22/8/2018) in West Pemenang village of Pemenang district, North Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara. The recent series of earthquakes to hit Lombok has destroyed many homes, forcing residents to evacuate and live in emergency camps. The government, as well as non-governmental organizations, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police, have begun to repair damaged houses.

Amid widespread 2018 Asian Games fever, locals in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), remain traumatized following a recent series of earthquakes.

The earthquakes in West Nusa Tenggara ravaged Lombok and surrounding areas. The latest earthquake, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, occurred on Sunday (19/8/2018). As quoted in Kompas daily on Aug. 21, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency\'s (BMKG) head of early tsunami warning and earthquake information division, Daryono, said the earthquake on Sunday was a separate earthquake and not an aftershock.

The series of earthquake in Lombok claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed thousands of homes. The fatalities were mainly caused not by the earthquakes themselves but by collapsing homes. Apart from fatalities, displaced people in Lombok and Sumbawa are also experiencing psychological trauma and other illnesses as many have been forced to stay at emergency shelters.

We are saddened by the situation of our brothers and sisters in Lombok. In our limited ability, this daily and other news outlets have launched philanthropic and fund-raising campaigns to help those affected by the disasters in Lombok and Sumbawa. This high level of social solidarity shows that Lombok has not been forgotten. Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo’s move to raise funds from other provinces can be seen as fostering social solidarity.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, accompanied by other state officials, have visited Lombok to ensure a proper emergency response. It is necessary to ensure that the displaced obtain the necessary aid. Meals and medical services must be provided. Immediately after the emergency response period is over and there is no further threat of earthquake, rehabilitation and reconstruction should be carried out.

The central government’s move to take over disaster management in Lombok is appropriate. We urge President Jokowi to immediately issue a presidential instruction to implement emergency response action, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, in Lombok. The instruction should include clear orders of what agencies are responsible for which tasks, so that rehabilitation and reconciliation will be well-planned and systematic, including the establishment of an information center on the Lombok earthquakes. A centralized and coordinated disaster response is more important than debating the appropriate level of emergency.

Losses incurred as a result of the Lombok earthquakes are estimated at Rp 7.7 trillion (US$527.47 million). National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) data as of Aug. 21 showed that there were 515 fatalities, 431,416 displaced people and 73,843 destroyed homes.

The central government must allocate funds for reconstruction in Lombok. However, earthquake-resistant materials must be used in reconstruction. Education and disbursement of disaster mitigation in Lombok must be improved so that the people there can live in harmony with nature.