A volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra erupted Sunday, August 29, 2010 for the first time in 400 years, shooting black smoke and ash up to 1,500 meters into the air. Mount Sinabung in the Karo district of North Sumatra province located about 1,300 km northwest of Jakarta, thundered shortly after midnight, shooting lava and other volcanic materials from its crater.

The government's Directorate of Vulcanology upgraded the volcano's danger status to the highest level minutes before the eruption of the 2,451-meter peak. "Despite decreasing activities since the eruption, we haven't downgraded the status level," said Surono, head of Indonesia's vulcanology center.

Local authorities evacuated thousands of residents living in nearby hamlets immediately after the eruption, the state news agency, Antara reported. More than 10,000 people in 17 communities were evacuated. Most of people voluntarily went to their relatives to secure themselves. If they have no relatives, they stay at community hall which are plenty at Karo district and it called "Jambur", said Ivan Tagor, a member of HEA team who made contact with someone who live 5 km from the volcano.

There were no reports of casualties so far.

World Vision has 2 ADP projects in Nias Island, North Sumatra. All of these project sites are located in west of the province, where which are far away from the eruption-affected areas.

World Vision Indonesia's Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs team will keep monitor the situation.