Indonesia is fighting natural disasters that struck the country one after another. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake in the Mentawai islands off western coast of Sumatra triggered waves between 3 to 5 meters that struck Muntai, Malokopak, Seletan, Utara, Sipora and Mentawai islands. First reports from the region put the death toll at 430 and the number of the missing at hundreds. The tsunami destroyed hundreds of houses and left 25,000 people homeless. Relief teams are having difficulty in accessing affected islands because of bad weather, while no contact could be established with seven villages.
As the country was struggling with devastating tsunami, Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta erupted, killing about 28 people and forcing 14,000 residents to flee their homes. Displaced locals are staying at camps. Villages around the active volcano are made on higher ground.
Aid teams of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation were dispatched to Indonesia. The teams will first of all deliver food, clean drinking water and blankets to survivors. The number of emergency items will be expanded after initial assessment of damage and required materials.