Distress on the foothills of Merapi

15.30 - Babadan 1 Village, Paten


The cloudy weather and the fresh breeze accompanied Team Diman's  journey this time. Rice fields and tobacco plantations became a scenery which we can enjoy. Our APV which we rode upon cruised at sixty kilometers per hour on the road which connects Magelang and Boyolali. We headed towards an area in the foothills of mount Merapi to meet our informant Sugito.

After we met with 'Mas Gito', as we referred to his familiar greeting, we were guided immediately heading towards a village. Mas Gito rode on his motorcycle and our car followed from behind. Mas Gito is a resident of the village and through him, we were informed that his village needs assistance. This village is called Babadan 1, within the Paten region, and only five kilometers away from mount Merapi.

The journey to the village from the spot where we met Mas Gito took appoximately an hour. The road conditions are quite challenging, because the road that we went through were uphill and wide enough for a single vehicle among steep cliffs. It felt forever until we reached the village, we even had to pass three villages below Babadan 1. This is understandable, we are heading towards a village only five kilometers away from the peak of mount Merapi.

 Finally, we arrived at the village of Babadan 1. Like any other villages, visions of houses walled with woods and bamboo welcomed us. Yet a different scene painted the area, a village covered full in grey, even the plants aren't green but grayish in color and withered. The steep road in the village covered in thick mud are starting to harden. Lands around the village are mixed with volcanic ashes and hardened like new soil blackness in color. Several of the rooftops collapsed unable to hold the weight of the volcanic ash piling on top. This village really has gone through a thick storm of volcanic ashes.


We stopped in the home of the village head who is currently cleaning the neighborhood along along with other male residents. They greeted us immediately, and Mas Gito explained the purpose of our arrival in the village. The village head was so pleased to receive us, he described that the residents of this village numbered 400 people and mostly elderly. When Merapi erupted, all civilians were evacuated to a safe zone in the lower Paten region  and currently there are only several male residents who returned home to feed their livestock and clean the ashes covering their village.


We received received an information, about the sad fact that when asked about the aid received. "Well, the aid and donation are stockpiled below. Maybe because this village is to far above, sometimes when there are donations, the post tell them to deliver it over there. The reason being is this area is still restricted to enter, but in reality is not like that." explained Mas Gito followed by the Village Head confirming it. Resulting in residents returning from the refugee camp not receiving any form of aid what so ever, even though they need it. Besides that, the next question that arises is, "Where did they deliver all the supplies piled up below?"


Though Babadan 1 Village is located on the foothills of mount Merapi, it turns out they are having difficulties in finding clean water for their daily needs. We are able to see a lot of water storage facility that are maintained locally in the neighborhood which are filled by taking from a source far from their village. Mas Gito explained,"We are having difficulties to find clean water, especially after the water got mixed with the ash, made it more difficult". After Merapi erupted and their village plundered by volcanic ash, water supplies became limited, even the water gathered now are mixed with ashes. Now, whenever they need to gather clean water, they need to head downhill and visit a distant village below.

After a brief moment of discussion, we offered what little assistance we can offer. We brought several sack of rice, medicine,instant noodles and several sarong. They were glad to receive, and we kindly asked them to always report back to us about their condition, so that they may remain monitored by Team Diman. After that we documented what aid we gave out and took pictures.


Not all residents of Babadan village went home from the refugee camps, they still need our attention. The poor condition of the village and its infrastructure are becoming an obstacle to face their daily lives. The piled up aids and donations will not guarantee their lives forever. The residents needs a hand which can support them restoring their lives in the village. Dian Mandiri is here for them, and we will always monitor their conditions and needs. It is now time for us to leave this village, all message and aid have been delivered directly to them, eventually a mix of fog and ashes accompanied our journey home, Team Dian Mandiri Foundation.