Ash clouds from the Mount Semeru eruption hit the Lumajang district and its area on Saturday, December 4, 2021. This disaster caused 15 deaths, 35 people seriously injured and dozens of others injured, and 1,300 evacuated (6/12). Lumajang district government reported that 5,205 people had been affected by ash clouds and volcanic ash. Therefore, the government carried out the status of Emergency Response for 30 days starting from December 4, 2021.

The location that impacted by the Semeru eruption in Lumajang, East Java (Photo: KUN)

The community’s memories about Semeru’s ash clouds that rolled to their home still lingered. When ash clouds came out from that 3,676 m high mountain, some communities panicked and ran from ash clouds that got closer. The sliding distance reaches 2.5 km from the center of Besuk Kobokan village. “ If we don’t run, we can die,” said Mustaqim from Supit Urang Village, Lumajang.

Supit Urang Village is one of 11 affected villages in the Lumajang District. The government also urged community not to move within a radius of 1 km from the summit and 5 km in the south-southeast direction. Then, the community needs to be aware of the potential of ash clouds, lava avalanches, and lava along the river that originates at Semeru Mount. In addition, the eruption of this highest mountain in Java also caused the down of electricity by 112. Fortunately, until now, 79 powerhouses have been functioning again.

The crowded situation in a shelter (Photo: KUN)

Gaps to Fill In

The community evacuated in shelter camps spread across 19 points around Pronojiwo, Candipuro, and Pasirian sub-districts. These dozens of locations are inhabited by thousands of evacuees who live temporarily in public buildings such as schools, village halls, and worship places. While some evacuees have been outside of the disaster zone, but there are several gaps, including:

Source: KUN Humanity System

Moreover, the community and Research & Rescue (SAR) team are still searching for missing people due to the Semeru Mount eruption. Considering that most areas in Indonesia currently face high rainfall, including Lumajang, “the continuation of the search for victims will depend on the weather,” said Tholib Mahameru, Public Relation of National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to BBC .

Heavy rain and eruption material that is still upstream caused cold lava floods, and it also cut off the Perak Gladak bridge in Candi Puro. This lack of access has isolated some villages. Then, cold lava also made Curug Koboan village isolated from other villages.

Community affected by the eruption, especially in the Lumajang district, have faced multiple disasters. They have faced eruptions with huge and fast ash clouds. After taking shelter, they faced a tense situation with a lack of electricity and volcanic ash. In that darkness, some communities were isolated due to cold lava floods, which closed access to distribution and evacuation.

We Need Your Help

Responding to this situation, our local partners, KUN Humanity System, conducted a rapid assessment to see the current situation and determine the urgent needs of the affected community. Therefore, several requirements need to be met:

1. Fresh foods
2. Drinking water
3. Clean water
4. Shelter equipment (mattresses, tents, blankets, etc.)
5. Solar lamp
6. Sanitary equipment
7. Mask
8. Special need for babies and nursing mothers
9. Medical support
10. Psychosocial support

Let’s support us in distributing your help by donating now or spreading this information so families affected can fulfill their needs and immediately get a sense of security. 

Thank you for your contribution. Your help means a lot to the affected families.