A deadly volcanic eruption in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has displaced more than 15,000 people and disrupted the education of around 5,300 students[1], Save the Children said.
JAKARTA, 14 November – A deadly volcanic eruption in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has displaced more than 15,000 people and disrupted the education of around 5,300 students, Save the Children said.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted over the weekend, spewing an ash column 9 km high. The event killed at least ten people, has covered some villages in ash and has prompted the evacuation of more than 15,000 people living close to the crater.
The eruption has also impacted the education for about 5,300 students – forcing them to learn in tents or online - with as many as 66 schools in the area affected. Some schools have been filled with ash and debris, while 11 of these schools and education centers have been turned evacuation sites.
A dangerous ash cloud caused by the eruption has also forced many airlines flying to and from the nearby tourist island of Bali to cancel their flights. The volcano has continued to erupt this week, according to Indonesia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
The Indonesian archipelago sits on the seismically active "Ring of Fire" and is no stranger to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Fadli Usman, Humanitarian Director at Save the Children in Indonesia, said:
"In every disaster or emergency, children are always the most vulnerable group, and they risk losing their rights, including their right to education. Children in East Nusa Tenggara have now been forced to temporarily learn in tents while others have had their classes disrupted. Our team is coordinating with our partners in East Nusa Tenggara, and we’re sending a team to help support children’s right to education there.”
Save the Children, together with local partners, will focus on helping the education sector to recover, including the facilitation of teaching and learning activities in temporary learning spaces, rebuilding two classrooms destroyed by the eruption and through the distribution of packages for children and women, including packages containing women’s sanitary and hygiene products.
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NOTES
[1] Data from the National Secretariat for Disaster Safe Education Units, Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education as of November 13, 2024.
[2] Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education showed on November 11, 2024.
For further enquiries please contact:
Amy Lefevre, Global Media Manager, Asia: Amy.Lefevre@savethechildren.org
Our media out-of-hours (BST) contact is media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44(0)7831 650409
