Jember mudslide survivors still living in misery six months on

Mud stains are still visible on the ceiling of Ervina's house in Kemiri village, Jember regency, East Java. The damage to one of the walls of the house has yet to be repaired, though the pile of rubble has been cleared away. "You can still see the signs of the disaster, reminding us of the tragedy that occurred six months ago," Ervina told The Jakarta Post.

A wall of mud, carrying with it trees and boulders, rushed down the slopes of Mount Argopuro on Dec. 29, 2005, sweeping away houses in the districts of Rambi Puji, Panti and Sukorambi. According to a task force set up by the Jember regency
administration, 72 people died in the mudslide, most in Panti district. Thousands of others were displaced when their homes were destroyed.

Although six months have passed since the tragedy, signs of the mudslide are visible throughout the three districts, located about 210 kilometers from Surabaya. There are damaged buildings, large rocks strewn about and wrecked cars. Ervina remains traumatized by the events of that day. When the mudslide struck she and her parents were in their house, located next to Kemiri market, one of the worst-affected areas. Luckily, the family was able to seek refuge in a mosque 500 meters from their house.

"Not long after we fled, a deluge of water and mud struck our house and everything was destroyed," she recalled. Many bodies were found around their house, covered in mud. Ervina continues to stay with nearby relatives whenever it rains. Relief and reconstruction efforts have been hampered by a lack of information, including a detailed map of the area, population statistics and the total number of affected buildings and houses.

Six months later, the East Java provincial administration has yet to construct the new houses it promised survivors. According to reconstruction plans, the houses are to measure 36-square-meters. Only dozens of at least 200 houses promised by the government have been completed in Kemiri and Kaliputih villages, as well as in Gunung Pasang and Delima villages. Most of the houses are little more than frames, without roofs or walls.

The delay in reconstruction means many of those displaced by the mudslide are still living in makeshift tents and schools that have been turned into emergency shelters.
In a field near Kemiri village, which was virtually destroyed by the mudslide, survivors are living in 12 large tents donated by the Japanese government. Each tent is occupied by six families. The poor sanitary system and crowded living conditions
have increased the likelihood of disease.

At a shelter in Kaliputih village, one resident, Slamet, expressed hope the new houses would be completed soon. "My family and the other displaced people want to return to our normal lives," he said. Until that time, Slamet and the other survivors in Kaliputih will have to continue living together in one of the classrooms at the local elementary school. "How long do we have to live like this?" he asked. Another survivor, Suprapto, said a lack of building materials was holding up construction. "Building materials often arrive late."