HONG KONG (SE): Authorities in Indonesia have raised the danger level for Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, following a devastating tsunami on December 22, which swept over the west coast of Java island and the south coast of Sumatra. 
 
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement on December 26 that 430 people are dead, 1,495 injured, 159 are missing and an estimated 22,000 displaced.
 
The tsunami is thought to have been caused by undersea landslips triggered by Anak Krakatau’s increased activity and the collapse of its soutwest slope, according to media reports.
 
Media also reported that flights are being routed around the restive volcano, while people have been told to to stay away from the coast.
 
Caritas Internationalis has responded to the disaster, with member agencies sending aid through Caritas Indonesia.
 
Yohannes Baskoro, project manager of Caritas Indonesia, said that the Diocese of Bogor, on Java, and the Diocese of Tanjungkarang on Sumatra have taken action.
 
Vatican News reported that Pope Francis appealed for support from the international community and sent an initial aid contribution through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on December 23.
 
He asked everyone to pray for the victims and for their loved ones, expressing his spiritual closeness to those affected.