REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - 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, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

"The Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) is still imposing an exclusion zone within a five-kilometer radius from the mounts peak," Head of BNPB Data and Information Center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a written statement on Sunday.

At least 18,166 residents (5,644 family heads) have been evacuated. They are taking refuge in 31 different posts.

"We do not know when they will return home. It all depends on the mounts activity," Nugroho said.

To help the evacuees make their living, the authorities have delivered cash fund through a program called "Cash for Work" in which they can do some work, such as helping build sanitation, evacuation route etc. by receiving a wage of 50,000 IDR per day. Each evacuee is only allowed to join the program for a maximum of 20 days.

BNPB has set aside 7.2 billion IDR to the Karo District Administration for the Cash for Work program and some equipment procurement. "We also hope the evacuees can celebrate Christmas Eve with the cash aid," Nugroho said.

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