The recovery process is slowly progressing in the villages where CADIS intervened at the onset of the emergency. Tents used for temporary shelters and evacuation centers are still visible along the highway. Houses are not yet rebuilt. Some of them are staying in the makeshift houses enough to protect themselves from the rain. Others, who have no other means are staying at the evacuation shelters provided by the government despite its uncomfortable condition because it is too small for a family, crowded and flooded when it rains. Relief efforts in Lombok are diminishing after the most devastating earthquake in Palu. Relief services and volunteers transferred to Palu which left the survivors of Lombok unattended.

The government shelter support project for Lombok survivors remained stagnant. Most of the families have not received the 50 million rupiahs (4,700 USD) as promised by Pres. J. Widodo of Indonesia. According to the survivors, the requirements to avail the funds are tedious and complicated. Only a few were able to rebuild their houses out of their own pocket while the majority has to hurdle to find means.

Some have started to look for work for their daily survival. However, it is not easy, since many employers were also affected and have not yet fully recovered their businesses.

Lenek village which is predominantly a Buddhist community is trying to rebuild their place with their own initiatives. Survivors are not getting much relief and financial aid from the government. Even private assistance from donors is scarce. This is the place where CADIS deems to adopt for the rehabilitation.

Most of the survivors are staying with their relatives while waiting to rebuild their own houses. Some of them preferred to stay in their makeshift shelters rather than the government temporary shelters.

One of the main problems that they have is access to clean and safe water. Most the deep and open borewells need repair and rehabilitation. The government installed water system is not functioning since after the earthquake many of the pipes were broken. The government has not done yet any repair. Fortunately, they have still the old deep wells (20-30 meters deep) but it needs immediate rehabilitation and water pumps to facilitate the collection of water.

CADIS has already repaired and installed 2 water jet pumps more than a month ago but there are still 8 more that needs rehabilitation and pumps. CADIS is looking for funds to supply safe and potable water to the 255 families in this village. During this visit, 3 sets of pumps were donated to this community. As of now, 6 wells are working including one which was repaired by another organization.

The most urgent need now is to rebuild their homes. In the meantime, the community is preparing their proposal to CADIS for housing assistance.

Some organizations are giving assistance to the children in the village and organized nutrition and educational assistance support.


By Fr. Andi Suparman, MI