Guys, we’ve read the stories about what happened in Jogja. Houses burnt down, villages destroyed, cattle died, victims fell, city covered by volcanic ash.  And Merapi does not seem to have stopped erupting just yet.

Photos (1-8): A van wracked by hot clouds, The standing still masjid, A cow died from burning, Volunteers evacuate Merapi victims, Volcanic ash up to 1.5 cm thick, Leaves holding volcanic ash, University of Gadjah Mada covered by volcanic ashes, Jogja city is grey from volcanic materials rain.

Now, it’s time to wipe the tears and start the actions.

Our local team in Jogja is surveying the disaster areas to determine the help needed. We sincerely invite you all to help with this efforts. For those of you who stay local, you might join them. We also welcome monetary donations.

More than 80,000 of residents from the surrounding cities have been fled from their homes. Most of all their belongings were destroyed.

[Update 11/4/10] As badly as Merapi eruption victims need your help, our volunteers are facing rough conditions as well. We have lost two of very heroic men of our local team to the hot volcanic clouds and ashes. Even though we might have enough supplies of materials for the refugees, we might very well need help for our many volunteers. Few have not come back home, sleep and food deprived. They’re helping the victims, yet they might fall victims themselves if not taken care of properly.

GNFI local team emergency post is only 2.3 Km away from the newly expanded danger zone of 15 Km from 10Km since the biggest eruption on November 3, 2010.

[Update 11/5/10] Danger zone is now 20Kmfrom the crater. What’s also very dangerous is the volcanic rain resulted from the eruption. Refugees would breath dangerously contaminated air, and the water might not be safe to use either.

You can forward your donations through GNFI to be distributed directly to the Jogja Merapi victims and volunteers by our very local team.

Here are few accounts where you can send your donations to:

For donations within Indonesia
Rekening bank BNI 0174 625 809
a/n Sri Nuryani Wahyuningrum (Nie’)
Cell phone:  0888 690 6265

For donations from outside Indonesia
Paypal account, email [email protected] (Ian)

To help us better allocate the funds, please make sure to send your confirmation of your donations by either SMS or email to the above cell phone number/email in this format:
GNFI Jogja Amount

We look forward to your kind hearts!

May God bless Indonesia and us all!

Reports: Akhyari Hananto (GNFI Jogja)
Photos: Detik (1-4), GNFI documentation – Nie’ (5-8)

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