OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Indonesia - Volcano
Mt. Merapi, Central Java Province
19 April 2006


This report is developed by the HC/RC Office in Indonesia based on 
information provided by the Directorate of Vulcanology and Geological 
Hazard Mitigation, Research and Technology Development Agency for 
Vulcanology (BPPTK) Yogyakarta, National Coordinating Board for the 
Management of Disaster (BAKORNAS PB), District Executing Unit for the 
Management of Disaster (SATLAK PB) of Boyolali District, Magelang 
District, Sleman District, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), UNICEF, and media 
reports.

I. SITUATION

1. Based on the seismic record that indicated increased volcanic 
activity at Mt. Merapi, the Directorate of Vulcanology and Geological 
Hazard Mitigation (12 Apr.) raised the level of alertness from level II 
to level III, which indicates that Mt. Merapi may erupt at any time. 
BPPTK reported their 18 Apr. observation of 113 multi phase tremors, 8 
streams of lava, 7 volcanic tremors, with white and thick SO2 smoke of 
400 m height from its crater. BPPTK confirmed (19 Apr.) that based on 
the scientific data, Mt. Merapi will most likely erupt.

2. BPPTK Yogyakarta encouraged communities not to conduct any activities 
in the river having its upper course at Mt. Merapi.  BPPTK Yogyakarta 
has already developed four scenarios based on the direction of the lava 
in case an eruption occurs.  The Government of Indonesia is working on 
the third case scenario, one level below the worst-case scenario, 
anticipating over 80,000 people to be displaced.

3. There are four districts located on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, namely 
Boyolali (59,851 inhabitants), Magelang (111,461 inhabitants), Klaten 
(126,831 inhabitants) and Sleman (56,215 inhabitants).  The number of 
affected people in Boyolali would be around 8,000, in Magelang it would 
be 27,884 persons, in Klaten 7,780 persons, and in Sleman 26,896 
persons.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. According to SATLAK PB Boyolali (19 Apr.), the District Government 
has already identified and socialized the evacuation sites and routes to 
the community. District and villages operational posts have been 
established.

5. Satlak PB Magelang reported (13 Apr.) that evacuation sites and 
routes have been identified and socialized to the villagers. 
Logistically, they are prepared with 36 tons rice, 30 packages medicine, 
30 units kitchen utensils, 300 flashlights with batteries, 300 rain 
coats, 30,000 masks, 90 emergency lamps, 900 plastic sheets, 600 
buckets, 300 units plastic ware to save clean water, and 300 emergency 
latrines.  They will still need 30 platoon tents, 30 generators and 81 
Handy Talkie (HT).

6. Media reported that the local governments in Klaten and Sleman 
Districts have identified evacuation sites and socialized the routes. In 
Sleman, the Government and individuals identified bunkers for use in 
case of an eruption.  The Provincial Government of Yogyakarta have been 
preparing 272 buses and trucks and 69 ambulances on stand-by.

7. BAKORNAS PB deployed a team yesterday (18 Apr.) to assess the 
situation on the ground and review coordination mechanisms.

8. BAKORNAS organized a coordination meeting last night, 18 Apr. in 
Jakarta chaired by the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and 
attended by BASARNAS (National Search and Rescue Agency), Minister of 
Social Affairs, Commander-in-Chief of Military, Vice Governors of 
Central Java and Yogyakarta Provinces and heads of districts of the 
affected areas.  The main purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the 
state of preparedness within the government.

9. The Indonesian Red Cross in collaboration with the International 
Federation of Red Cross is mobilizing relief items and personnel.  They 
have sent 8 platoon tents, 20,000 masks and prepared food package for 
20,000 people for two-day consumption. 100 volunteers are ready in each 
of the affected districts including the ambulance needed. In cooperation 
with the local government, PMI is planning to establish 14-field 
kitchen. In case the worst scenario occurs, PMI is ready to mobilize 
their relief supplies and personnel from its 32 branches in surrounding 
provinces and elsewhere in the country.

10. Department of Social Affairs has allocated Rp.400 million for three 
months and has already sent 100 tons rice for two months, 1,000 boxes of 
instant noodle, 20 tents including 15 platoon tents, 50 folding bed and 
one truck of operational post equipment (including communication tools, 
public kitchen, latrine and tent).

11. Department of Health is mobilizing 160 body bags, medicines, 
ambulances and stand by medical doctors and staff from Semarang, Solo 
and Yogyakarta.

III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

12. As the Central and Local Government have indicated the availability 
of adequate capacity at this stage, no immediate international 
assistance is required. However, in case of a major eruption Government 
capacities may be overwhelmed and international assistance may be 
required.

13. The UN Technical Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction held a 
meeting today together with the Indonesian Red Cross/International 
Federation of Red Cross. It was agreed that a TOR for a small 
inter-agency team will be developed that could be mobilized and deployed 
rapidly in case of an eruption.

14. The UN RC/HC Office in Jakarta will continue to be in direct contact 
with pertinent government and non-government institutions, as well as 
with the Indonesian Red Cross to monitor the situation.

15. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing 
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet website at 
http://www.reliefweb.int/

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk officers:
  G. Murray, direct Tel. +41-22-917 27 91
  M. Meier, direct Tel. +41-22-917 11 59

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. E. Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 265
  NYC - Ms. S. Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

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