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Indonesia
earthquake: coordinated relief operation fully underway but challenges
still remain 2 June 2006 Nearly one week after the devastating earthquake, which affected up to half a million people in central Java, Indonesia, many survivors are still in need of basic assistance, including medical care, temporary shelter, food and water. “Damaged roads, disrupted communications and bad weather remain the biggest challenges in providing help to the survivors,” said Peter Cameron, Deputy Head of the International Federation’s Delegation in the quake zone. “Our main priorities are getting medical supplies to hospitals, providing people with temporary shelter and reaching out to rural communities.” So far, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), with the support of the International Federation and its member National Societies, has treated almost 5,000 patients and distributed relief items, including tents, tarpaulins, cooked food and drinking water, to over 10,000 families. According to latest estimates, at least 6,000 people were killed and more than 50,000 injured by the 6.3 magnitude quake, which hit Java on 27 May. Bantul district, south of the city of Yogyakarta, was hardest hit with nearly 60 per cent of reported casualties and thousands of destroyed homes and other buildings. The quake region is located near the Mt Merapi volcano, which has seen increased activity since the disaster. A contingency plan has been put in place by the International Federation and the Indonesian Red Cross to deal with a possible eruption, including a security and evacuation strategy. Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers are on stand-by, while 50 metric tonnes of relief supplies have also been stockpiled in central and regional warehouses. A further one million people could be displaced if Mt Merapi erupts. Meanwhile, the International Federation and PMI are working closely with United Nations agencies and local authorities in coordinating the earthquake relief operation, which is now fully underway. The International Federation is also currently carrying out recovery and transitional needs assessments in the region. “There is a very strong spirit of working together and coordination is very good,” said Simon Missiri, Head of the International Federation’s Asia Pacific Department. “The support of governments, National Societies and private donors has been crucial in enabling the Indonesian Red Cross and International Federation to mount a major relief effort both quickly and effectively,” Missiri added. On 27 May, the International Federation launched a preliminary emergency appeal for 12.8 million Swiss francs ($10.4 million USD/ €8.2 million), which has received excellent coverage so far. A revised appeal, including recovery and rehabilitation activities, is expected to be issued next week. A full list of donors and contributing National Societies will be included in that appeal. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Indonesia: Gilles Lordet, Information Delegate Tel: + 62 811 618 414 In Geneva: Anna Nelson, Media Officer Tel. + 41 79 724 20 46 Media Service Duty Phone (Out of hours) Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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