Situation report: 23 May 2006

The area around Mount Merapi in central Java, Indonesia, continues to remain under alert following last week's volcanic eruptions that threaten the safety of hundreds of nearby residents and has caused the evacuation of more than 5,000 people.

Though initial shots of hot ash and gas that marked eruptions early last week have not been repeated, the area near the volcanic mountain remains under highest alert and officials have said the area remains dangerous. A 3.7-mile zone around the mountain has been declared off-limits - though many residents remain within the zone and have refused to leave.

A 3 million-cubic-yard lava "dome" still poses a threat and could collapse, according to scientists.

Response

On Sunday, Church World Service Indonesia began distributing 435 health kits to internally displaced persons in Merapi. The distribution took place at the Boyolali Selo camp, Central Java, and occurred in the villages of Trogolele and Jakrah village, as well as in two shelters in nearby schools.

CWS plans to distribute an additional 10.000 packages of hygiene kit and 2,000 blankets.

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