World Vision response

World Vision’s emergency team distributed mattresses, family kits, children’s kits, and protective masks, including children’s sized masks to evacuees.  Family kits included soap, shampoo, blankets, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.  Children’s kits included nappies, baby soap, and blankets.

World Vision, in partnership with Indonesia’s largest Muslim humanitarian organisation, Muhamadiyah is providing and operating a mobile library that visits the seven evacuation centres.  Children can take time out to read books while they wait for the volcano area to be declared safe to return to their homes.

World Vision is primarily working with local humanitarian partners for the relief response. 

Background information

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupted three times on Tuesday 27 October (18:00 local time) emitting searing clouds and volcanic ash.  Volcanic material spewed as high as 1.5 kilometres and sent heat clouds down the slopes.

On Monday 26, authorities declared a red alert for a radius of 10 kilometres and ordered 19,000 people to evacuate.  People living in the shadow of Indonesia’s most active volcano were warned to evacuate or risk being killed.  

The volcano erupted again numerous times during the following week, creating additional fears for evacuees.

A World Vision assessment team arrived at Mount Merapi on the eve of the eruption.  The team conducted a rapid assessment to determine the needs of families evacuated from the area.  

World Vision pre-positioned emergency supplies such as family kits (toothpaste, toothbrush, clothing, blankets), baby kits (soap, nappies, blankets), tarpaulins and collapsible water containers.  World Vision’s team in Java dispatched a plane with 15,000 face masks to distribute on the ground to those families in evacuation centres. 

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Children sponsored by Australians

World Vision does not have programs in the immediate vicinity.  The nearest community supported by World Vision is 270 kilometres away from the volcano.

How you can help

Support for the Emergency & Preparedness Fund enables World Vision to prepare for emergencies by pre-stocking and positioning life-saving supplies and ensuring trained staff are available to be on the scene quickly, to respond to emergencies.

Find out more about our Emergency & Preparedness Fund or donate now.