Situation report: 25 April 2006

BPPTK Yogyakarta reported that 178 multi phase tremors, 3 shallow volcanic tremors and one tectonic tremor occurred on Monday (24 Apr.). While on Tuesday (25 Apr.), as of 0600 hours, there were 53 multi phase tremors, and no shallow volcanic tremor. The alert level of Mt. Merapi still remain in level III.

According to SATLAK PB Boyolali (25 Apr.), the number of displaced persons has reached 173 persons originating from Tlogolele (157) and Klakah (16) Village.

According to SATLAK PB Magelang, as of Monday (25 Apr.), the total number of displaced persons in this district is approximately 1,300 persons.

As of Tuesday (25 Apr.), the number of displaced persons in Dompol Village is 932. In Kemalang Sub-District Complex, there are 1,105 displaced persons (= 358 HH), including 14 pregnant women, 49 elderly people and 82 babies and children under 5 years old. In Dompol Village, the displaced persons are mostly sheltered under temporary tents without any lining/mat. During the night, with cold weather from mountaineous areas, the displaced persons are living in uncomfortable condition.

According to SATLAK Sleman, the instruction for evacuation has not been issued yet by the Head of District (Bupati) since the level of alertness of Mt. Merapi remains on level III. However, starting Tuesday (25 Apr.) some villagers from vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly, pregnant women, babies and children under 5 years old), have voluntarily fled their homes and sought shelter in safer areas provided by local government.

National response

Deputy for Disaster Management of Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare (MENKOKESRA) visited the four districts in Yogyakarta and Central Java on Tuesday (25 Apr.).

According to Head of Kemalang Sub-District of Klaten District, PDAM have been regularly providing clean water in both IDP sites, in Dompol and Kemalang Sub-District Complex. TELKOM (state-owned telecommunication company) has also provided communication means (e.g., telephone lines for each Command Post/POSKO) and mobile phones. ORARI has also deployed some members in the vulnerable zones. The Office of Public Works has provided 5 additional public bathing, washing and toilet facilities in Kemalang Sub-District Complex.

BAKORNAS, SATKORLAK PB Yogyakarta and Central Java continue to closely monitor the situation in the four districts mentioned above.

International response

OXFAM GB, who has a presence in Yogyakarta, is creating "Merapi Task Force" to develop a safety plan for the staff and their families, and also a preparedness and response plan. OXFAM has ordered relief items including 6,400 pieces of sarongs, 2,504 tarpaulins, hygiene kits, 20 3m3 water tanks and some "water" equipment.

The UN HC/RC Office in Jakarta will deploy a staff member on Wednesday (26 Apr.) to monitor the situation, review coordination and preparedness mechanisms. The UN HC/RC Office will also 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.

Abbreviations
· BAKORNAS PB: National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disaster
· BPPTK: Center for Volcano Research and Technology Development
· MENKOKESRA: Deputy for Disaster Management of Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare
· ORARI: Amateur Radio Organization of Indonesia
· PDAM: local state owned water company
· SATLAK: District Disaster Management Committee
· SATKORLAK: Provincial Coordinating Unit for the Management of Disasters
· SO2: sulphur oxide

Mount Merapi Volcano related
· Gunung Merapi likely to erupt