Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Indonesia.

On Monday, November 1, Indonesia’s Mount Merapi in Central Java erupted for a fourth time with loud explosions of burning gas and debris, causing more panic within just days after its blast on the previous Friday when it spewed hot ash over two kilometers into the air.

All in Indonesian)
Ms. Yamik – Coordinator of Sidorejo Village Refugee Shelter (F): Today there’s been a big eruption at Merapi at 3 o’clock, so that our three villages are almost empty. The volcanic activity has claimed at least 38 lives and displaced 50,000 people. Because of the risk of further eruptions, officials are advising that people remain in temporary shelters for the time being. They have distributed 65,000 masks and have been working to maintain hygienic conditions for disease prevention.

Ms. Yamik – Coordinator of Sidorejo Village Refugee Shelter (F): Usually here it’s only occupied by 2,450 people, but this afternoon it could reach about 8,000. That is the situation; it’s very chaotic here, the condition is such an emergency.

VOICE: Upon knowing of the initial eruption, Supreme Master Ching Hai conveyed her deep condolences and prayers, and asked that our nearby Association members please go if possible to help the victims, saying that funds were available for emergency needs. Our Association’s relief team from Indonesia began relief work immediately on October 27, using their own contributions of approximately US$1,200. They traveled to Petung Village, located approximately six kilometers from the summit of the volcano and found the area covered in ash. Bodies of perished animals could be seen, along with houses burnt by the hot smoke.

Villager (M): As for the thickness of volcanic ash, it is right up to my ankle, which is nearly 30 centimeters, even more. And there are a lot of fallen trees, trees withered because of the heat clouds. And these are the example of the cows which were exposed to heat clouds, their bodies scattered around with their bellies puffed up, swelling because they couldn’t stand the heat from the clouds.

VOICE: Our Association’s relief team delivered 700 boxes of ready-to-eat vegan meals prepared by Loving Hut staff along with 500 bottles of mineral water. They also distributed SOS flyers about the vegan solution to climate change. The aid was received gratefully by the head of Petung Village, Mr. Pairin, who expressed his appreciation to Supreme Master Ching Hai.

(In Indonesian)
Mr. Pairin, Head of Petung Village (m): Thank you so much. I will inform all the people of this aid. So, later please tell Supreme Master Ching Hai that the sharing is already so big for the people who are in the middle of this kind of trial, this refugee situation. One more time thank you; please convey it to Supreme Master.

Ms. Yamik – Coordinator of Sidorejo Village Refugee Shelter (F): We can only say thank you to Supreme Master Ching Hai.

VOICE: Our appreciation, all Indonesian officials, personnel and volunteers, for your caring endeavors. We also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support extended to the vulnerable, as well as our Association members for their prompt efforts to help. May the affected people of Indonesia swiftly resume the regularity of their day-to-day lives as we pray such tragedies are averted through our kinder regard for each other and the planet.