Update: Plan helps children affected by Indonesian volcano

Residents look from their houses as Mount Merapi emits smoke in Kinarrejo village. Courtesy: Reuters, www.alertnet.org

Update: The Mount Merapi volcano on the Indonesian island of Java erupted again yesterday, with hot ash clouds spreading more than 30 kilometres, reaching the city of Yogyakarta.

The continuous eruptions have increased the numbers of displaced people. Existing shelters have had to be evacuated and people moved further down the mountain.

Over the past six days our Emergency Response Team has distributed relief items for 1600 families (8000 people) in evacuation centres in the three most affected areas.

Each family receives: two mats, five blankets and one family hygiene kit (soaps, towels, shampoo, sanitary napkins, bucket).

Plan teams are also in the process of establishing Child Friendly Spaces to meet the protection needs of 1360 children.

Our Emergency Response staff are monitoring the situation and preparing to increase their response.

More information will become available over the coming days.

Support our work to help people affected by the Mount Merapi volcano, donate to the Children in Crisis Fund.

---------------------------------------------

27/10/2010

Plan has sent emergency support to families who were forced to flee from their villages after the eruption of Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java. The supplies are expected to arrive today.

The eruption was today declared a national disaster by the Indonesian President.

More than 15 people were killed by a hot cloud of gas and debris blown from the volcano on Tuesday. Dozens of others suffered burns and were treated in Yogyakarta hospitals. More than 11,000 people are now displaced and scattered over several locations.

It is estimated that about 40,000 residents were evacuated from the four districts around the slopes of Mount Merapi, including 7000 children. Many children are now living in evacuation centres with limited facilities. Plan’s priority is to meet the needs of the affected children and their families.

Plan Indonesia's Country Director John McDonough said the assistance provided consists of 1600 blankets and 4000 mats for more than 800 families.

"Our goods were sent this morning and are scheduled to arrive in Yogyakarta today," he said. 

Plan Indonesia's Emergency Response Team has been at the volcano site since Monday, and will continue to monitor the situation.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

To support Plan's disaster response work around the world, donate to the Children in Crisis Fund.

Find out more about Plan’s work in Indonesia.

Please note that no sponsored children or their families have been directly affected by the Mount Merapi volcano eruption or the Tsunami in Sumatra (both in Indonesia).