Mount Merapi erupted yet again on November 5, 2010, spewing blistering gas 6 miles into the sky and unleashing a pyroclastic flow that torched everything in its path. Volcanic ash rained down on towns up to 150 miles away. About a million people live in the danger zone. More than 200,000 have been evacuated, 138 dead so far. Volcanologists fear that a newly formed lava dome could collapse triggering a deadly surge of up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit at speeds of 60 miles per hour.

This is the latest in the string of tragedies to hit Indonesia’s disaster-stricken archipelago. On October 4, a flash flood ravaged Wasior village in West Papua on the 4th. The tsunami-like waters washed away homes, leaving 144 dead, 123 missing and thousands displaced and injured. On October 25th, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off North Sumatra near the Mentawai Islands, triggering a 10-foot tsunami that wiped out over 20 villages and displaced more than 20,000 people. Hundreds are missing after fleeing from the killer wave; over 400 dead. Hours later, Mount Merapi, Indonesia’s most volatile volcano, erupted.

In response, CERDAS has decided to extend fundraising to Sunday, November 14, 2010 in our effort to provide aid to those impacted by these catastrophes. CERDAS is collaborating with other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), such as the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), to bring timely and effective relief to the disaster victims.

Please send your contribution today. Every little bit helps.

You can conveniently make your donation through PayPal using the button below. Please be advised that PayPal takes 2-4% of your donation for their fee. Please mention in your payment that you are contributing to the Wasior/Mentawai/Merapi Disasters Appeal.

You can also send a check made out to CERDAS Foundation – please make a note specifying that the donation is for the Wasior/Mentawai/Merapi Disasters Appeal – to:

CERDAS Foundation
4059 NE 55th St
Seattle, WA 98105

On behalf of the victims of these calamities, we sincerely thank you.