No. 18/MC.TDBM/11/2010

PRESS RELEASE

No. 18/MC.TDBM/11/2010

                                        HERU LELONO:                  

MERAPI DISASTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE CURRENT FOCUS

Yogyakarta (13/11/2010, 20:00 PM) Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Information and Communications, Heru Lelono, stated that the current focus of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is on the emergency response phase, that is, trying to save the lives of as many as possible from the threats of Mount Merapi eruption.

"Today is the emergency response phase, while the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase will be implemented after the emergency phase is completed and the Alert status of Mount Merapi is lowered, as well as the threat of the eruption of Mount Merapi is not there anymore," he said in a dialogue on the Media Center Merapi Disaster Emergency Response in Yogyakarta, Friday (12/11), which was broadcasted live on 100.2 FM RRI.

According to him, threats from Merapi eruption this time is not just stones incandescent, hot sand, hot clouds and volcanic ash, but also a wave of cold lava flowing through some streams on the slopes of Merapi.

Therefore, he said, population who is currently still in the radius of 20 km from the summit of Merapi shall go out and shall be the recommended safe area according to the Head of the Volcanology and Geology, Dr. Surono, which states that the safe radius is currently outside radius of 20 km from the peak of Merapi.

He confirmed the statement of Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, which states that people on the slopes of Merapi must be outside a radius of 20 km from the summit of Merapi which is considered a safe area. "It's true that the city of Yogyakarta is very safe, except the area within a radius of 20 km from the summit of Merapi," he said.

He assured that the government has prepared itself to implement the reconstruction and rehabilitation process post-eruption of Merapi after obtaining complete data on the area affected.

Disaster Area

On that occasion Heru Lelono also stated that Indonesia is now proven to the disaster area, because some areas in turn affected by disasters, from earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. "At least now there are 19 volcanoes in Indonesia are very active and requires high vigilance," he said.

In addition, it is evident also that at this time there has been an extreme climate in the world, including the ones hit Indonesia, the indicator is the occurrence of continuous rainfall since January 2010. It is very likely to occur because the heat of the earth caused the melting of icebergs in the polar region and sea level rise.

Thus, he said, there is no other option for the government and people of Indonesia but preparing themselves to face any threat of disaster, including the purchase of equipment early warning system and enhancing community disaster preparedness. 

Police Must Investigate Disturbing SMS

Heru Lelono also asked the Police Chief and staff to investigate irresponsible people for spreading false information through SMS which caused public unrest and refugees. "It needs assertiveness of the police to take action and to investigate legally," he said.

He fully supports the steps of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia that build SMS Broadcast service and provide information and communication equipment in several refugee posts, both in Yogyakarta and Central Java, so that the population and displaced people can obtain information more easily.

"It is very strategic for the Ministry of Communications and Informatics and BNPB to build Media Center of Merapi Disaster Emergency Response in Yogyakarta, so that people can get the right information, accurate and reliable," he said.

According to him, BNPB has worked hard to make Merapi disaster emergency response phase, including developing an early warning system equipment in several rivers on the slopes of Merapi, because there are still threats of secondary cold wave through a river of lava on the slopes of Merapi.

"It's a big job of BNPB backed by local government in Yogyakarta and Central Java, the TNI and the Police and the volunteers, because President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expecting the support and cooperation throughout the community in tackling the Merapi disaster," said Heru Lelono

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Contact        :    Hartje Winerungan, Head of Public Relations Division, BNPB

Cell              :    0815 9926 781

Contact        :    Sukosono, Public Information Agency of the Ministry of Communications and Information

Cell              :    081218056690