Sleman, Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The central government has provided Rp500 million in funds for handling thousands of people fleeing their villages near and inside Mount Merapi`s danger zones.

Vice President Boediono handed the funds to Yogyakarta provincial authorities at the office of the Hargobinangun village head in Pakem sub-district, Sleman district, on Tuesday.

The money was taken from the Health Ministry`s budget. Besides the funds, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih had also provided operational funds totaling Rp200 million and medical services for the refugees.

The Health Ministry did not only supply four tons of medicines and 50,000 medical masks but also six tons of supplementary food to reinforce breast milk.

During the visit to the Hargobinangun shelter for Mt Merapi refugees in Sleman district, Vice President Boediono was accompanied by his wife, Herawati Boediono, and some cabinet ministers.

Among the cabinet members were Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Agung Laksono, and Social Welfare Minister Salim Segaf Al-Jufri.

Before going to the refugee camp, Boediono and his entourage were told by Head of Sleman district Sri Purnomo about the latest situation of Mt Merapi`s eruption-in-waiting and anticipatory steps taken.

When visiting the Hargobinangun refugee camp, students who took refuge along with their parents after the raising of Mount Merapi`s status from "alert" to "prepared" on Monday greeted Boediono.

At the refugee camp site, about 17 kilometers from the slope of Mount Merapi, the vice president had a chat with the students.

Inside the Hargobinangun shelter, there were 438 refugees. They were all residents of Kaliurang village.

Since the increase of Mt Merapi`s status on Monday, at least 1,756 residents of three sub-districts in Sleman district had been evacuated to safer places.

The sub-districts, whose areas were situated near the volcano`s danger zones and home for 13,581 people, were Cangkringan, Pakem, and Turi.

The sub-districts` areas had frequently been affected by the hot clouds and gases expelled from the volcano.

About the evacuation process, Head of Sleman district, Sri Purnomo, had warned the authorities of not creating panic to the evacuees.

"All related authorities need to be aware of the importance of avoiding our people from being panic during the evacuation process," she said.

Mount Merapi is situated on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces.

It is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, whose eruptions have regularly been detected since 1548.
(T.D016/Uu.R013HAJMO001/P003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH

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