* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Alert
Indonesia
Mount Kelud Eruption – East Java Province
Geneva, 14 February 2014
1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
Mount Kelud, one of the most active volcanoes in East Java, erupted on 13 February 2014 at 22:50 (local Eastern Indonesian time) sending an ash plume 17,000 metres high which triggered ash and volcanic debris fall as far as 350 kilometres away. The eight continuous explosions could be heard in Yogyakarta, around 235 kilometres away.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geologic Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) has raised the status to a red‐alert (level IV). According to information from the information National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as of early morning 14 February 2014, the current eruption has forced the evacuation of more than 201,228 people (58,341 households) from 35 villages within a 10 kilometre radius of the mountain. Those living in Kediri, Blitar and Malang districts are the most seriously affected.
Airports in East Java, Yogyakarta and Solo are closed due to the thick hazardous ash fall and limited visibility.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
Observing the wide‐scale impact of the current eruption, there is concern over the possibility of prolonged temporary displacement, and possible cold lava flooding in several rivers which could exacerbate the situation. Evacuation posts have been prepared by local authorities in each district to accommodate the population as well as livestock, but the capacities are not sufficient for such a large and sudden evacuation. The most pressing needs are: medical assistance, divans, mattresses, blankets, face masks, nutritious food for babies and the elderly, water, emergency latrines in evacuation posts, hygiene packages, psychosocial assistance for children and adults, as well as barrack management training for shelter coordinators. ACT members with long‐standing expertise in emergency response, supported by the strong connection with local churches and humanitarian affiliates on the ground, are planning to respond to the needs identified since relief support from district/provincial authorities is limited.
3. National and international response
The President of Indonesia has instructed the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to provide full assistance to the response, and the West Java Governor to be on alert for further support.
4. ACT Alliance response & Planned Activities
Members of ACT Forum Indonesia are coordinating closely on a possible joint assessment, and maintaining contact with other relief agencies on the ground to identify further needs. YEU is deploying its Emergency Response Team (ERT) on Saturday, 15 February together with Yakkum’s Panti Waluyo Hospital Solo to deliver relief items such as medicine packs, face masks, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene and baby packages as well as water. During the deployment, YEU will also conduct capacity building for volunteers and IDPs on barrack management, health promotion and emergency preparedness.
ACT Indonesia Forum members are monitoring the situation and an ACT Rapid Response Fund payment or appeal may be requested.
5. Constraints
Currently the main obstacle is the wide‐spread ash‐fall which limits travel and visibility.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, Director of Finance (jbi@actalliance.org)
