Mount Egon threatens to erupt

According to Volcano News of 2 February, a total of 6,416 residents living in four villages in the danger zone have been evacuated to Maumere district town where they are being sheltered in several public buildings and schools. Other subdistricts on the slopes of the volcano are now being evacuated. CD Bethesda reports that the evacuation is difficult due to the lack of means of transportation and heavy rains the last few days which have made the roads muddy and difficult to pass. However, the government is providing evacuation trucks and the number of evacuees could reach up to 10,000 should the eruption intensify.

The government has also established a public kitchen to help feed the evacuees. Maumere and Sikka administrations are also providing medical services for the evacuees. According to reports many of the evacuees are in bad shape after breathing sulfurous gases and are now facing shortages of food and bedding at accommodation centers. Officials from the Sikka administration said that some of the refugees were suffering from dysentery. What is most needed is food, medicine and bedding. At least one person was reported dead and the death toll is likely to increase as the local authorities continue to collect information on the victims.

ACT member Yakkum Emergency (YEU) staff have been sent to Maumere to carry out a needs assessment for possible ACT Rapid Response Funding. The local CD Bethesda staff in Flores and three community based organisations located in Egon, Nangatobong and Wairterang along with the Catholic abbey in Maumere and Larantuka are on the alert and ready to intervene with medical services should the need arise. YEU is also in contact with the other ACT members in Indonesia.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org). Thank you.