Situation report: 16 May 2006

This situation report is based on information provided by the office of the United Nations Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC)'s office in Jakarta.

Situation

On 13 May, the Directorate of Vulcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of the Indonesian Government raised the level of alertness for Mt.Merapi from level III to level IV, which could indicate the imminent eruption of the volcano.

The Research and Technology Development Agency for Vulcanology (BPPTK) Yogyakarta reported on 15 May that many volcanic earthquakes, pyroclastic (heat clouds) flows and hot lava flows were observed. BPPTK predicted lava flowing or collapse of the dome to affect up to more than 60,000 people living in 9-10 km range.

According to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), on 15 May the number of displaced persons in Magelang is 2,754 (in 13 sites), 296 in Boyolali (in three sites), 5,444 in Sleman (in seven sites), and 3,136 in Klaten (in three sites), or totalling to 11,633. The numbers are fluctuating due to rapid movement of the displaced persons.

The District Executing Unit for the Management of Disaster (SATLAK PB) selectively prioritised the evacuation of residents from 21 villages in four high-risk sub-districts and estimated around 11,000 people to be evacuated.

National response

The head of Sleman and Magelang District instructed all possible assistance to be communicated and managed through SATLAK PB Sleman and Magelang District. The contact person of Sleman District is Widi Sutikno, phone number 62-812-295-3568 or 62-274-898-350. The contact person of Magelang District is Indarjo, phone number 62-816-422-4447 or 62-293-789-182.

According to the reports form IFRC, the local government has given PMI two sites capable of accommodating 5,000 people in Megelang. In Boyolali, Klaten and Sleman, PMI volunteers are providing filed kitchen services, mobile health clinics, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, plastic sheeting and blankets. PMI deployed an assessment team to observe water and sanitation facilities in all PMI command posts.

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