T

hree weeks after the eruption of Mount Sinabung, the health conditions of thousands of people displaced by the eruption are beginning to decline.

One is reported to have died while scores more have been admitted to Kabanjahe hospital.

The Karo regency administration reported over the weekend that Sidik Tarigan, 55, died from an acute respiratory infection and asthma.

Sidik had taken refuge at Jambur Sempakata camp, Kabanjahe.

“The medical team tried their best to save him but he was already in a critical condition from living under the camp’s conditions,” Karo secretary Makmur Ginting told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Sidik was the third to die since the volcano first erupted on August 29. The other were overcome by thick smoke and ash from the volcano during the evacuation process three weeks ago.

Makmur said the health of most refugees had declined due to the psychological strain of living in the camps. Almost 25,000 refugees are being sheltered at 25 refugee sites in seven districts in Karo and another site in Langkat regency.

The authorities have not yet given villagers the green light to go home to their communities inside the six-kilometer exclusion zone, describing the volcano as unpredictable.

Head of the Mount Sinabung Emergency Response Team, Agus Budianto, said that since the most recent eruption on Sept. 7, Sinabung’s volcanic activity has increased.

“The team is continually monitoring Sinabung. We are not yet able to recommend to those living within 6 kilometers of the mountain to return home,” said Agus Budianto.