Lewoleba, NTT (ANTARA) - Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Doni Monardo, has asked the authorities to ensure evacuees fleeing from Mount Ili Lewotolok, Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), follow COVID-19 health protocols at the emergency shelter.
“Please, the head of the evacuee command post must implement the COVID-19 health protocols. Most importantly, [evacuees must] wear face masks, keep your distance, and avoid crowds," he said while visiting the location of the Mount Ili Lewotolok emergency shelter in Lewoleba City, Lembata on Wednesday.
Each tent must have a place to wash hands with sufficient water and soap to prevent evacuees from falling sick, he added.
He asked the Lembata authorities to provide better treatment to evacuees, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups.
"So far, what I see has been quite good in the services provided, although there are still shortcomings, but they can be resolved," he observed.
According to him, refugees belonging to the vulnerable age groups need to be separated from young people to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the refugee camps.
"I appeal to the district government to separate vulnerable groups from young ones. Because we are not only facing a natural disaster but also a non-natural disaster situation," he said.
Vulnerable groups face a larger risk if exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, he pointed out. The vulnerable groups include the elderly, people with comorbidities or comorbid diseases, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, people with disabilities, toddlers, and children.
If this is not handled properly, it could threaten the lives of other people, he remarked.
"Because this vulnerable group is very risky, if exposed [to COVID-19], it could endanger their life," he said.
He argued for the better management of refugees as they are facing both natural as well as non-natural disaster.
“So, not only dealing with the threat of a volcanic eruption, but we must also be able to protect citizens and the public from the COVID-19 pandemic," Monardo said.
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