Situation report: 5 May 2006

This report is developed by the RC/HC Office in Indonesia based on information provided by the 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, and Klaten District, WHO, USAID, OXFAM GB, Save the Children UK, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), and media reports.

Situation

According to BPPTK Yogyakarta, on Thursday (4 May) at 0200 hours lava spilled out from Merapi’s new lava dome spreading a distance of 200 meters on the southern flank. A static burning point was also spotted from Deles Sub Village of Sidorejo Village in Klaten District. Lava outflows and the emergence of static burning points are signs of imminent eruption. On that day, there was also a shallow volcanic tremor, 102 multi phase tremors, and 84 events of rock falls. On Friday (5 May), during the period of 0000 - 0600 hours, there were 19 multiphase tremors and 25 events of rock falls. The alert level of Mt. Merapi still remains at Level III.

SATLAK PB Boyolali reported (5 May) that some IDPs have returned to their sub-village homes. Currently only 35 displaced persons remain at IDPs shelters in Selo (23) and Musuk (12) Sub-District.

In Magelang District, as of Friday (5 May) morning, the total number of IDPs are 1,483 persons, scattered in Srumbung (810), Muntilan (831) and Sawangan (42) Sub-District.

SATLAK PB Klaten District reported (5 May) that many IDPs have decided to return to their sub-village homes.Only 1,934 persons remain in 3 IDPs shelters located in Dompol and Keputran Village of Kemalang Sub-District and in Ngemplak Seneng Village of Manis Renggo Sub-District. Last week (28 April), the number of IDPs reached a total of 2,194 persons. In this district, eye infection disease has spread amongst displaced persons in the shelters. The District Health Office has been instructed to take action to prevent the further spread of this disease.

SATLAK Sleman reported (5 May) that 1,643 persons have voluntarily left their sub-village homes and sought temporary shelters in 8 different IDPs sites. These sites are located in 3 sub-districts, namely Turi, Pakem and Cangkringan. The total number of IDPs is 1,643.

National response

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) from all affected districts continue to be on alert and mobilized for assignment at POSKO (Post of Command for disaster response). Under the coordination of SATLAK, PMI Branch has been involved in the evacuation of IDPs and the operation of Health POSKO and the Public Kitchen. It also has a role in the “final sweeping” of residents who have been left out at the last moment.

PMI, with the support of IFRC and USAID, have provided hygiene kits for 15,000 persons (= 3,000 HH) and sleeping mats for 18,750 persons (= 3,750 HH) in Magelang, Boyolali and Klaten District. For IDPs in Sleman, PMI will provide hygiene kits for 5,000 persons (= 1,000 HH) and sleeping mats for 6,250 persons (= 1,250 HH). The distribution of these hygiene kits and sleeping mats are on-going. Some 4,000 blankets have also been dispatched from PMI National Headquarters as an added response to required needs at the IDPs sites.

The Central Government (4 May) has provided IDR 250 million to each of the four district governments to strengthen their preparedness measures.

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
· PMI: Palang Merah Indonesia (Indonesian Red Cross)
· 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