PELAKITA.ID – South Lampung, 12 September 2026 — The eruption activity of Anak Krakatau Volcano since early September 2026 has caused volcanic ash to spread and affected community activities in several areas, including coastal areas of Rajabasa Subdistrict, South Lampung Regency.
In recent days, Anak Krakatau Volcano has continued to erupt and release volcanic ash. The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has continued to provide updates on the volcano’s activity through 11 September 2026.
Although daily activities in the community have begun to resume, volcanic dust can still be found around residential areas and on roads.
Deposited dust may also become airborne again when blown by the wind or disturbed by passing vehicles. Therefore, people still need masks, particularly when carrying out activities outdoors.
Fine volcanic ash particles can be inhaled and cause irritation to the nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Exposure to ash may also cause coughing, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, as well as irritation to the eyes and skin.
Children, older people, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma or respiratory and heart conditions require particular attention because they are more vulnerable to health problems caused by exposure to volcanic ash.
In response to these conditions, Yayasan Bumi Tangguh (YBT) distributed 5,000 masks to affected communities in Way Muli Timur Village and Way Muli Village, Rajabasa Subdistrict, South Lampung Regency.
The aid distribution was carried out in stages from 10–12 September 2026, involving disaster-response community groups, namely SIBAT (Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Team) and Destana (Disaster-Resilient Village), village governments, PKK, community volunteers, and other community elements.
On 10 September 2026, aid distribution was carried out in Way Muli Village in cooperation with the Way Muli SIBAT and Destana teams. A total of 250 masks were distributed to worshippers attending an event commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW).
The activity was also part of an effort to ensure that health-protection assistance could reach community members who continued to participate in communal activities amid environmental conditions that were still affected by volcanic ash.
On 11 September 2026, YBT continued the distribution by providing 2,500 masks in Way Muli Timur Village. The activity involved SIBAT Way Muli Timur, Destana Way Muli Timur, the Village TP. PKK of Way Muli Timur, members of PKK Way Muli Timur, Posyandu cadres from Way Muli Timur, and Community Empowerment Cadres from Way Muli Timur. The assistance was distributed to Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Way Muli Timur, Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Khairiyah Way Muli Timur, as well as residents of Way Muli Timur Village.
On 12 September 2026, distribution continued in Way Muli Village, with 2,250 masks provided to communities affected by volcanic ash. The assistance also reached several schools, namely TK Satu Atap Way Muli, SDN 1 Way Muli, SDN 2 Way Muli, and Madrasah Aliyah Way Muli, as part of efforts to protect children, students, teachers, and education personnel who continue to carry out their activities amid exposure to volcanic ash.
Thus, over the three-day distribution period, YBT, together with its partners and local community members, distributed the entire 5,000 masks to targeted groups in Way Muli Timur Village and Way Muli Village.
SIBAT Way Muli Timur and SIBAT Way Muli are community groups operating under the guidance of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of South Lampung Regency. Meanwhile, Destana Way Muli Timur and Destana Way Muli operate under the guidance of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Lampung Regency.
The involvement of these two disaster-response groups has played an important role in supporting the coordination and implementation of aid distribution at the community level.
The involvement of SIBAT in this activity is also part of the continued strengthening of community capacity that has been carried out previously. SIBAT Way Muli Timur and SIBAT Way Muli are groups whose establishment and training were previously facilitated by Yayasan Bumi Tangguh in 2019 as part of the response to the earthquake and tsunami that struck the area.
The experience and capacity built since then have become important assets for communities to continue playing a role in disaster preparedness and response to various hazards, including addressing the impacts of volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau Volcano.
The Chairperson of Yayasan Bumi Tangguh, Dennie Mamonto, said that the activity was part of YBT’s commitment to protecting communities and strengthening their resilience in facing disasters.
“This activity is part of the implementation of one of Yayasan Bumi Tangguh’s missions, namely to play an active role in risk reduction, preparedness, emergency response, and disaster recovery to strengthen community resilience. We hope this mask assistance can help reduce health risks for people who still need to carry out their daily activities amid exposure to volcanic dust,” Dennie said.
The activity coordinator, Darwin, explained that the need for masks remains relatively high because volcanic ash can still be found around residential areas and along roads.
“This assistance is very beneficial to the community, especially those who have to carry out activities outside their homes. Volcanic dust is still present around residential areas and roads and can become airborne again when blown by the wind or when vehicles pass by. The community has expressed its gratitude to Yayasan Bumi Tangguh for the assistance provided,” Darwin said.
Darwin, together with village-level partners, coordinated the distribution of assistance to ensure that masks reached schools and communities in need. The involvement of SIBAT, Destana, PKK, Posyandu cadres, Community Empowerment Cadres, and other community members helped ensure that the distribution was coordinated and appropriately targeted.
YBT urges the public to continue following official information and guidance from the government, limit outdoor activities when exposure to volcanic ash increases, and use masks properly when going outside.
People are also encouraged to avoid activities that could cause deposited dust to become airborne again and to immediately seek medical attention at a health facility if they experience respiratory problems or other health complaints.
Through collaboration with SIBAT, Destana, TP. PKK and PKK members, Posyandu cadres, Community Empowerment Cadres, schools, and the communities of Way Muli Timur Village and Way Muli Village, YBT hopes that this assistance will help protect public health while strengthening community-based disaster preparedness and response.
About Yayasan Bumi Tangguh
Yayasan Bumi Tangguh (YBT) is an Indonesian non-profit organization established on 9 June 2017 out of a commitment to environmental conservation, improving community well-being, and disaster management. YBT works together with communities to strengthen their capacity to address disasters, climate change, environmental pressures, and social and economic challenges.
YBT’s programs focus on three main pillars: disaster management; environmental, coastal, and marine protection; and community empowerment. In the field of disaster management, YBT has experience in risk reduction and preparedness, emergency response, provision of basic necessities, clean water and sanitation, psychosocial support, livelihood recovery, rehabilitation, and the reconstruction of earthquake-resilient homes.
Since 2017, YBT has carried out humanitarian, environmental, and community empowerment activities in various parts of Indonesia, including Lampung, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, and West Papua.
All activities are implemented through participatory, inclusive, collaborative, community-based, and sustainability-oriented approaches.
