Statement from Renee Manoppo, Humanitarian and Emergency Response Manager, Yayasan CARE Peduli:
“Indonesia's Mount Semeru erupted on Sunday spewing hot ash clouds with rivers of lava down its side covering roads and homes. The eruption has devastated surrounding communities in the East Java province as almost 2,000 residents have been evacuated from the affected area. Based on the assessment and consideration of potential hazards, Mount Semeru's status has been raised from Level III to Level IV; the highest alert level for volcanoes in Indonesia. Last year, Mount Semeru’s eruption resulted in 50 people died and almost 3,000 houses destroyed.
While monitoring the situation closely, Yayasan CARE Peduli has shipped 12,000 masks to the Indonesian Red Cross in Lumajang district to be distributed to affected communities in the area. Yayasan CARE Peduli is also coordinating with peer agencies, the UN and local government units, and is ready to provide assistance and to deploy for need assessment.”