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USINDO BULLETIN

Yogyakarta Earthquake Bulletin #13
0700 hours Eastern Time
Thursday, June 8, 2006

Following is a roundup of news from the Yogyakarta earthquake area; also please see today’s Factiva news roundup disseminated by USINDO.

Media reports a large venting of gas and ash from Mt. Merapi on Thursday, causing more than 15,000 villagers to seek safety; Thursday’s activity was the largest yet, sending billowing clouds 3.5 miles down the southern slope. The total number of evacuees from the Merapi slopes is said to be 23,000 in the last few weeks. Some villagers, however, still refuse to leave - “as long as the hot clouds do not reach us, we won’t leave our village,” said one inhabitant.

Meanwhile, a 5.1 magnitude undersea earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra. It did not generate a tsunami or cause damage, according to government officials.

A field hospital, which is being supported by the United Arab Republic, is being set up in Sleman district in anticipation of casualties from Mt. Merapi’s eruption. Merapi has erupted several times, most recently in 1994 claiming 66 lives; the most lethal recorded eruption was in 1930 when 1370 lives were lost.

WHO reported 14 cases of tetanus, including two deaths, thus far among the quake victims. WHO has also noticed an increase in patients with wound infections at one hospital in Yogyakarta. As reported yesterday, immunizations against tetanus have begun for the general adult populations, together with measles inoculations for children.

The government has begun its payment scheme to earthquake survivors as reported in prior bulletins. The payments are designed to meet basic household needs for one month, as well as housing reconstruction.

UNESCO has pledged to restore Prambanan and other temple complexes; according to Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, UNESCO provided US$75,000 for an initial damage survey.

U.S. assistance is continuing, while five ASEAN countries have responded by sending relief personnel: Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are sending food supplies and cash contributions.

USINDO Summer Studies (SS) Program

Executive Director Katy Rys reports that a 4.0 magnitude quake was felt in Yogyakarta at midday on Thursday. The bus for language student evacuation is ready. Having taken their placement exams, SS participants will assist in weekend earthquake cleanup activities with Gajah Mada University faculty and staff; next week it is planned that the students will visit Solo (Surakarta).