In Focus

Two weeks following the first eruption on 26th October 2010, Mt. Merapi continues to spew deadly pyroclastic flows that so far have claimed 141 lives and injured 453 people according to BNPB. As of November 8, it has caused at least 278,000 people who lived within 20 KM radius on its slope fled their homes in Sleman District, Yogyakarta and Magelang, Boyolali and Klaten Districts, Central Java.

Tents, village halls, school buildings or sports stadium now serve as evacuation centers. The evacuees are now staying in at least 113 evacuation centers located across four districts with inadequate privacy and sanitation facilities. Another problem in most evacuation sites is that the place is overcrowded. Some men are forced to sleep outside of the building or shelters, which give priority to women, children, and seniors.

Condition in evacuation site of Maguoharjo Stadium, Sleman District. Some of evacuation sites are overcrowded and lack of sanitation facilities.
(Courtesy of KYPA)

Sanitation, hygiene and health remain the main concerns for the new IDP sites, and the construction of temporary latrines has begun in some locations. According to the rapid assessment that was conducted by CWS’ partner, KYPA, the evacuees still need blankets, sleeping mats, baby kits, hygiene kits, sanitary napkins, clothing including underwear, appropriate food for children under five, baby supplementary food and sanitation facilities. The Local Government of Sleman District Officials mentions mobile learning tools as one of the needs since school activity has stopped in order for the school building to serve as an evacuation center. Officials also requests water bladder.

Among the displaced, children who are unable to attend school feel bored without any substitute activity. It is recommended that we conduct recreational activities for children.

Cramped condition in evacuation centers and anxiety over the possibility of future eruptions are having an impact on the psychological wellbeing of the disaster affected population, particularly those who lived in the hardest hit zone whose house was destroyed and cattle was killed by the first eruption on 26th October 2010. “Most evacuees cannot sleep well. Every time they hear rumble they are terrified of another eruption which will harm them and force them to move to another safer shelter,” reports Guntur, a volunteer and former Mertoyudan Seminary team member. While there are mental health specialists available in certain evacuation centers, they cannot cover all centers. Therefore, further needs assessments and psychosocial interventions are a priority.

The President has given full authority over the response to BNPB and has further mobilized National resources such as Military personnel and line ministries as needed. The Ministry of Social Affairs has mobilized 1,600 volunteers to assist with the provision of food, shelter and NFIs to the affected population.

CWS works together with KYPA responding to Mt. Merapi eruption and helping survivors and coordinates with ACT Indonesia Forum members, UN Agencies, other NGOs and government officials.

Church World Service is a humanitarian non-profit organization whose priority has always been to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Together with local organizations, we work in urban and rural setting to support sustainable development and help to address the root causes of poverty as well as to provide humanitarian assistance to survivors of natural and human-made disasters. CWS was established in 1946 and has been operating in Indonesia for over 40 years.


Church World Service is a member of  ACT Alliance.

Contacts:

Dino Satria
Emergency Response Coordinator
+62 811 266330

Ilmi Suminar
Communication Coordinator
+62 817 002 1284