Double disasters in Indonesia
UNICEF's emergency operations center is monitoring double disasters in Indonesia.
UNICEF's emergency operations center is monitoring double disasters in Indonesia.
UNICEF's emergency operations center is monitoring double disasters in Indonesia.
An estimated 40,000 people, including 10,000 children, are at risk in Central Java after Mount Merapi erupted. Some 22,000 people were evacuated prior to the eruption, which experts worry could cause lava flows and a second, larger eruption. Falling ash has been reported as far as 450 miles away. UNICEF is participating in an assessment mission today and will supply emergency water and hygiene supplies.
Reuters is reporting at least 25 dead.
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"378","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","height":"259","width":"460","style":""}}]]Separately, a 7.2 scale earthquake in West Sumatra on Monday triggered a tsunami and at least 9 subsequent aftershocks of 5.0 or above.
Official casualty figures are changing rapidly. More than 15o deaths and 400 missing people have been reported. It's estimated that 1/3 of those affected are children.
The Government has deployed search and rescue reams. UNICEF is prepared to distribute disaster relief supplies to partners in Padang province.
