REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- As many as 18,412 refugees from the Mount Sinabung eruption in North Sumatra wake up to Christmas at refugee camps away from home.

Head of Media Center of Mount Sinabung Eruption Post in Kabanjahe Jhonson Tarigan stated on Wednesday that the number of refugees increased from 18,378 on Monday (Dec .23) to 18,412 or 5,752 family heads on Christmas eve.

"The refugees have come from 22 villages and two hamlets located around the Mount Sinabung of Karo Disctrict," Tarigan noted.

The villagers are taking refuge in 31 shelters such as Los Tiga Binanga, GBKP Payung, Kabanjahe Great Mosque, Asrama Kodim Kabanjahe, Jambur Natolu, Islamic Center and Los Tanjung Mbelang dan Los Tanjung Pulo.

Head of Data and Information Center of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho stated on Sunday (Dec. 22) that the emergency response to the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra has been extended until January 4, 2014 as the volcano still shows signs of increased activity.

The Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has imposed an exclusion zone within a five-kilometer radius from the mount's peak.

To help the evacuees make a living, the authorities have arranged for cash fund through a program called "Cash for Work," wherein they can take up work, such as helping build sanitation, evacuation routes, etc., and get paid at Rp50 thousand per day. Each evacuee is allowed to join the program for a maximum of 20 days only.

BNPB has set aside Rp7.2 billion to the Karo District Administration for the Cash for Work program and for some equipment procurement.

"We also hope that the evacuees are able to celebrate Christmas Eve with the cash aid," Nugroho stated.

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