Society
Of The Divine Word

Mount Lewotobi erupted again at midnight on November 03, 2024. This eruption is considered to be the most devastating compared to those that have occurred in the past few months. Usually it ejected ash, but this time it spewed some volcanic materials such as molten rock, gravel and hot sand, which also burned the surrounding areas. The hot rock material (fire) was thrown up to almost six kilometers from the crater, leaving holes in many places.

One of the rocks fell directly into the bedroom of Sr. Nikolin, SSpS, causing her death. Gravel and sand scorched and withered trees within a radius of about 6 kilometers from the crater of the mountain.

There are several areas affected by the eruption: Wulanggitang District: Klatanlo Village, Hokeng Jaya Village, Nawakote Village, Boru Village, Boru Kedang Village and Pululera Village; Ilebura District: Dulipali Village; Talibura District [Sikka Regency]: Hikong Village, Kringa Village, Nebe Village, Ojang Village, and Talibura Village.

Unfortunately, the number of victims is significant: 10 people died, including Sr. Nikolin, SSpS, and a family of 6 people who were buried in their house by the volcanic material; many people are seriously injured, ranging from minor to serious injuries; in total, 10,295 people (2,643 families) were affected by the eruption.

JPIC SVD and SSPS have made an initial and emergency response to the disaster, including: visiting a number of affected locations and evacuating residents to emergency evacuation centers; helping to put out the fire at the SSpS house as well as participating in the evacuation of the body of Sr. Nikolin, SSpS; taking residents/victims who are moving independently to their families and relatives who live far from the disaster site; distributing a number of emergency relief items such as rice, water, masks and snacks. JPIC SVD/SSpS, in collaboration with IFTK Ledalero and TRUK-F, has created an official flyer for open donations; encouraging fellow SVDs, SVD lay partners, SVD parishes, friends and benefactors to participate in raising funds and providing emergency relief to the victims. Our SVD seminarians were divided into several groups: 12 seminarians assisted the JPIC team in Hokeng in evacuating the victims and distributing some relief items, while others started to raise funds in the school, units and outside communities.

We bring a call for urgent needs for the victims: Food: rice, vegetables, eggs, dried fish, noodles, and cooking oil; Bathroom items: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo; Clothing, masks, sanitary pads, and disposable diapers; Clean water; and Bedding (mats).

Fr. Ignasius Ledot, SVD
JPIC Coordinator (IDE)