Pacific Earthquake Emergency

Updated: Monday, 11/16/09

Current Situation in Sumatra, Indonesia:

More than a month after earthquakes devastated areas of the Pacific Rim, Islamic Relief USA continues efforts to aid survivors.

The focus is now shifting from relief to recovery. A majority of communities have received basic food and non-food items from different sources, however there are still reports of isolated and remote communities who have yet to receive any assistance.

Quick Situation Facts on Quake Damage:

• 1,117 people confirmed dead
• 2,256 people injured
• 264,457 houses damaged
• 1,386 classrooms damaged
• 1,237 places of worship damaged
• 198,200 households in need of emergency shelters

Immediate needs include:

• Water pumps, spot lights and generators
• Family tents and blankets
• Rehabilitation of water supplies
• Staple food items including rice, fish, milk, protein products, and spices

Islamic Relief’s Emergency Response:

Timeline of first 10 days of emergency response

30th Sept	5 p.m. earthquake in Padang
1st Oct	Staff mobilized and drove for three days by road to reach area with computers, generators and family tents; 2 additional cars, 3 motorcycles and all printers, generators and water purifier mobilized from Aceh
3rd Oct	First staff arrive in earthquake zone; Visit to affected area, communication with Government and selection of beneficiaries
4th Oct	Full visit to project site, first agency to reach the affected beneficiaries
5th Oct	Field Office established, community mobilization and training of volunteers for needs assessment
6th Oct	Assessment and distribution of 5 tents
7th Oct	First school tent erected. Procurement underway and suppliers selected.
8th Oct	First distribution of 200 food packets. Permanent office, warehouse and 2 guest houses established.
9th Oct	First staff recruited: logisticians and drivers
10th Oct	Islamic Relief submitted 5 projects to the Flash Appeal for inclusion in the Humanitarian Response Plan

 

 Achievements at the end of first month of emergency response:   

• Over 5,074 beneficiaries households reached            
• 2,372 food packs distributed        
• 5,352 Hygiene kits and 5,074 blankets and 764 jerry cans distributed
• Distribution of 148 tents and tarpaulin for 2,367 families
• 8 school tents, plus materials for one school distributed
• Distribution of 3 generators for water pumps at wells
• Rehabilitation of 2 existing drilled wells including the addition of taps and pipes
• Establishment of water tanks and bladders for water storage in each community    

Islamic Relief USA Ships Aid for Samoa:

The 8.3 magnitude quake that struck the Pacific on September 29 generated tsunami waves as high as 15 feet which crashed down on Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, killing over 170 people, according to the BBC.

Homes were flattened and entire villages were destroyed. The Samoan Prime Minister told the BBC “the devastation caused was complete.”

Some families have begun rebuilding homes but others are still afraid to return to the coast.

Working with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Islamic Relief USA coordinated a shipment of essential aid to survivors in Samoa worth about $600,000.

The shipment includes emergency-aid items such as hygiene kits, food supplies, wheel chairs and other essentials to aid victims of the disaster.

Islamic Relief in the Pacific:

In 2008 and 2009, Islamic Relief Indonesia implemented a water and sanitation project in Padang District drilling 22 wells and training local community members in water supply systems.

Islamic Relief began working in Indonesia in 2000 and registered its field office there in 2003 to implement development projects. In 2004, Islamic Relief spearheaded a large-scale emergency response to the devastating tsunami, distributing food, tents and hygiene supplies to hundreds of survivors.

In 2006, Islamic Relief responded again to the Java earthquake, distributing necessary food items to 17 sub-districts in just four hours after the quake hit.