This article explores the institutional responses to the volcanic crises and related problems encountered during the 1994 and 2006 eruptions of the Merapi Volcano, Indonesia. It also illustrates traditional responses to the volcanic crisis led by the local community and provides recommendations to encourage a comprehensive institutional volcanic crisis management including community-based response. This study aims to understand and to explain the gap between institutional responses and the community’s perception during pre- to post-crisis situations. Interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions revealed that top-down institutional responses to the volcanic crisis are not fully appropriate in regions with a high cultural perception. Working with the community is an ideal solution to minimize the gap between the government, scientists, non-governmental organizations and the community itself. A community-based methodology combined with natural hazard studies generates comprehensive risk and crisis management.