Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta – Freed from the threat of volcanic eruptions, Merapi's refugees must now face the ordeal of rebuilding their lives. Refugees are leaving evacuation centers and returning to homes where their livelihoods have almost been annihilated.
The Volcanic Technology Development and Research Center (BPPTK) has reduced the danger zone's radius, prompting thousands of refugees to return to their villages on Merapi's slopes.
During the eruptions, which began on Oct. 26, evacuation centers in the four affected regencies – Sleman, Boyolali, Klaten and Magelang – held as many a 320,000 refugees. But now those refugees are facing an uncertain future because of Merpai's effect on the local economy.
Residents of Merapi's slopes are confronting the prospect of poverty as the eruptions paralyzed the area's economy, especially the agriculture, fishery and tourism sectors. "We have spent everything and no longer have any savings. Now we have to start from scratch," Hadi Sunaryo from Manggungsari, Sleman, said.
Sunaryo, 62, and his family had previously earned a living through their snakefruit and vegetable farms, but their crops were destroyed by volcanic ash from the eruptions. "We will plant more crops to earn a living, but it will take three months before we can harvest. Until then, we don't know how we will survive," he said.
Thousands of people living on Merapi's slopes cultivated snakefruit, but because of the eruptions, 14,000 hectares of Sleman snakefruit farms are facing harvest failure.Losses are estimated at up to Rp 3 billion (about US$333,000).
Conditions in Magelang regency, Central Java, are also cause for concern as 2,500 hectares of snakefruit trees were destroyed by the eruption. Tree branches had broken under the weight of thick volcanic ash. Damages are estimated at Rp 6 billion, with recovery taking up to three years.
The fishery sector is facing the same conditions. Hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of fish died, including brood stock such as gurame, catfish, nila and carp. It could take years for fish stocks to recover.
"We have to start from scratch as we don't have anything left. Luckily, our home was not badly damaged and we can still live there," resident Nunung Wibowo said.
Mudiono, a resident of Kedung Sriti, Sleman, said he spent all his savings to support his family while living at the shelter for a month. He did not work while at the shelter, so he did not make any money.
"We have to start over again," he said. Mudiono still has Rp 4.5 million remaining from the sale of his two cows.
Residents still depend on their dairy cows and snakefruit farms, but they hope the government will help them until their activities bear fruit. "We have run out of food. We hope the government will give us rice so at least we can eat while we rebuild our lives," Mudiono said.