In Lumajang district of the East Java province of Indonesia, Mount Semeru has spewed thick columns of ash as high as 12,000 meters (40,000 feet) into the sky in a sudden eruption on Saturday, 4 December 2021. Villages and nearby towns were blanketed by tons of volcanic debris.

Searing gas raced down the sides of the mountain, smothering entire villages; killing or seriously burning those caught in its path. At least 22 people died and 27 others missing.

More than 2,000 villagers of 5,205 displaced people escaped to makeshift emergency shelters after the powerful eruption.

Our Response

As well as having joined the search and rescue operations effort, Human Aid Initiative’s overseas partner’s team and volunteers are on the ground supporting many families and distributing aid.

Thanks to your generous support and donations, we can be at the ready to provide emergency response when disaster strikes.