Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is home to around 120–130 active volcanoes, the highest number in the world, making volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis constant natural hazards.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said on January 8 that about 963 families with 3,516 people from 13 villages at the volcano's foot are currently staying in government-run evacuation centres across the province.
The number of people living around the volcano in the alert and standby status is estimated to reach 15 million. Therefore, preparedness and compliance with recommendations are important to minimise the risk of disasters.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" - an earthquake-prone belt of volcanoes stretching from South America to the Russian Far East. It experiences more than 800 quakes each year.
Communities are also warned of potential secondary disasters such as lava floods, mudflows, and ash rain along rivers and valleys, especially near the Besuk Kobokan River.
Emergency evacuations are underway on Indonesia’s Halmahera Island, North Maluku province, after increased activity at Mount Ibu triggered a massive eruption, displacing thousands.
Mount Merapi, located near the densely populated city of Yogyakarta, the capital of the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, emitted hot lava on January 10, prompting the country's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre to issue a warning for the safety of nearby residents.