More About Disaster Response
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September 18, 2007 — As people throughout Indonesia prepared for the holy month of Ramadan, thousands were forced from their homes when earthquakes struck the island of Sumatra over the course of several days, from September 12 to September 15.
CRS, in coordination with Indonesian and international Caritas partners, are focusing relief efforts on the areas that were hardest hit in Bengkulu province and Mentawai island in West Sumatra.
An earthquake survivor in Bengkulu, Indonesia, one of the areas hit hardest by the series of four earthquakes over the past 48 hours. Photo by Adhong Ramadhan.
"People who have been affected greatly need temporary shelters, as they are unable to go back in their houses for fear of aftershocks, as well as damage to their homes. Many are staying under makeshift tents along main roads or in open fields," says Rich Balmadier, CRS Indonesia country director.
As an initial response, CRS and local partner Yayasan Bina Vitalis have distributed 1,000 shelter kits to families in Bengkulu, whose homes were destroyed by the relentless trembling. At least 500 family kits — which include tarps, mosquito nets, basic kitchen utensils, lanterns, cooking items, mats, and other essential items — and an additional 1,000 shelter kits are planned for distribution this week.
A total of 27 people have been reported killed as a result of these earthquakes while an additional 100 have suffered injuries. Furthermore, as the rainy season has officially begun in Sumatra, the government estimates that about 25,000 tents and temporary shelters are desperately needed to shield people from the downpours.
Bengkulu and Mentawai
CRS is targeting Bengkulu and Mentawai because of the level of destruction and need in these areas. In Bengkulu province, a total of 3,830 houses were heavily damaged or completely destroyed and over 10,000 additional homes were moderately or lightly damaged. After visiting some of the devastated areas in Mentawai, assessment teams reported that 186 permanent houses, 57 semipermanent houses and 253 wood houses were heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
Since the first earthquake hit the southwestern area of Sumatra on Wednesday, September 12, nearly 70 aftershocks have been felt throughout the islands, sending locals into higher land for fear of another tsunami. In Mentawai, approximately 12,000 people (of less than 13,000 in the area) fled their homes and are currently staying in makeshift tents in open fields.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tremors are common, but the 8.4-magnitude earthquake that hit September 12 was one of the largest since the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004.
CRS has long-standing relationships with local partners in the quake zone and has committed an initial $50,000 for emergency response.
