In Focus

After being dormant for about 400 years, Mt. Sinabung had its first eruptions on August 29, 2010. It begun shooting lava and cloud of ashes up to 1.5 Kilometers into the sky, forcing more than 10,000 people of Karo District, North Sumatra to leave their home to a safer place.  People suffer from respiratory problems that associated with volcanic ash. Two persons have been reported died during the panic.

Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) had allocated Rp 500 million ($55,000) in cash, two water purifiers and food to assist the evacuees. Local administration has distributed 7000 masks to the people, but it's still not enough.

Two men of Karo District wearing mask to prevent respiratory problem caused by volcanic ashes from Mt. Sinabung that first erupted on August 29, 2010 after 400 years of dormant.
(Binsar Bakkara, Courtesy of Associated Press)

Monitoring camp has been built 3.5 Km from the crater. Mt. Sinabung’s status had been revised from dormant to active and dangerous.

CWS Indonesia response


CWS Indonesia is now monitoring the situation and will respond to if necessary.



For further Information please contact:

Dino Satria
Emergency Response Coordinator
+62 811 266330