"We haven't yet declared the emergency response phase over because Merapi is still on highest alert and there are still eruptions,” Syamsul Muarif, head of the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), told IRIN.
More than 575 people remain hospitalized following recent eruptions.
“We cannot estimate when it will end. As long as Merapi remains on highest alert the emergency phase will remain in place,” he added. When the volcano erupted on 25 October, the government declared an initial 14-day emergency period.
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“The military will build the housing on land made available by different local governments… Only villagers whose houses were destroyed in the eruptions will be entitled to the temporary houses,” he said.
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