Jakarta , Indonesia ( CNN ) -- Indonesia 's government , already beset by a killer earthquake and tsunami , moved Wednesday to help tens of thousands of residents displaced by a volcanic eruption that also claimed 29 lives . Thirty-eight people were injured and 42,000 were evacuated around Mount Merapi on Java , according to the country 's National Disaster Agency . The volcano erupted at least three times Tuesday , forcing residents to flee . Merapi , which looms on the horizon north of the major city of Yogyakarta , is one of Indonesia 's most active volcanoes and lies in one of the world 's most densely populated areas . The volcano has a summit elevation of nearly 10,000 feet ( 3,000 meters ) . Because no new lava dome has formed , Merapi remains dangerous , a government assessment team leader told the official news agency Antara . Hundreds of displaced residents crammed a small government building in Yogyakarta . Many had fled with only the clothes on their backs . Slamet Riady , 64 , has lived through Merapi 's many eruptions . `` This was bigger than the past eruptions , '' he said . `` They rang the siren , and we had no time to bring anything . The most important thing was to save ourselves . '' Nearby , volunteers led a group of young children in song and dance . Yoppy Riskiadi said many of the children are going through a stressful situation and need a sense of normalcy . `` We 're here to cheer them up so they can be happy and be children , '' he said . `` It 's simple . We sing , dance and act crazy . They 're children and they should be carefree . '' Merapi 's volcanic activities have decreased significantly , Indonesian chief volcanologist Surono told CNN . `` An explosive eruption will not happen again in the near future , '' Surono said . Merapi spewed more ash this time than in previous eruptions , he said . CNN iReporter Prasakti Ramadhana told CNN the volcanic ash produced heat in the area . Ramadhana , who lives about 12 miles from Merapi , said rain Wednesday night was limiting the spread of ash . The volcano and the recent Indonesian earthquake and tsunami forced President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to cut short a visit to Vietnam , Antara reported . Medical and food donations for volcano victims were coming in , Antara said . CNN 's Brian Walker and Phil Gast contributed to this report .
NEW : Volcano has not formed new lava dome . Volcanologist does not expect another eruption soon . Indonesian president cuts short trip to Vietnam , returns home . The volcano erupted at least three times Tuesday .