Volcanic activity on the Indonesian Mount Merapi has intensified and clouds of ash, gas and rock fragments have been seen coming from its crater. Merapi is one of more than 100 active volcanoes in the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean with volcanic and seismic activity.

The government and relief organizations in the area have evacuated all villages within a six mile radius (ten kilometers) of Merapi's peak. YAKKUM (Yayasan Kristen untuk Kesehatan Umum – Christian Foundation for Public Health) Emergency Unit (YEU) has set-up four camps for displaced persons located approximately 10 miles from the peak that are housing approximately 4,420 people.

The internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living in tents and public buildings (schools, offices) and are being provided with food, mats, blankets and masks. Attention has been given to protecting infants, children and the elderly. YEU has also been providing medical and psychosocial care to the IDPs.

Indonesia index