Gathering Relief After Mount Merapi Volcano
In the aftermath of Indonesia’s volcanic catastrophe in 2010, the country is gradually on the road to recovery. Mount Merapi or The Mountain of Fire, which erupted five times since 26th October 2010, has left in its wake, chaos, death, a ruptured economy, non-existent agriculture and so many missing and homeless.
On 2nd November, five days after the deadly eruption, The Art of Living Indonesian sent aid in the form of blankets, sarongs, milk, medicine, masks and toiletries. Volunteers visited a few shelter homes, camps and a village at the base of the mountain.
Followed by yet another eruption on 11th November, thousands of inhabitants were relocated to temporary shelters near the central Java city of Yogyakarta (famous for the Borobudur temple, and hub of higher education).
Evacuees Anxious
An Art of Living volunteer team from Jakarta visited the evacuees on 22nd November. It was found that although their basic needs had been met, they were living in cramped, unhygienic conditions and much remains to be done. Houses in the radius of six miles were still covered with thick layers of volcanic ash. Cleaning operations that include uncovering dead bodies and animal carcasses from the rubble as well as clearing the great volumes of ash and debris.
The crop of maize, rice and cassava was totally destroyed. Their other source of income, tourism to the Borobudur temple, was at a halt.
The Art of Living is involved in rehabilitation work and welcomes funds. For information, sonialakhiani@gmail.com
