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Red
Cross Red Crescent commences evacuation procedures as 8.7 earthquake
hits Sumatra region triggering tsunami fears 28 March 2005 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched its emergency coordination procedures in Geneva, in response to the 8.7 earthquake, which happened at 5.09pm GMT. The epicentre was located at 200 km (125 miles) off the west-north-west coast of Sumatra triggering fears of another tsunami. All Red Cross and Red Crescent delegations (Jakarta, Nairobi, Bangkok, Delhi and Maldives) and Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in the region have been alerted. Electricity supplies have been cut off in Banda Aceh. However, contact has been made with Tsunami Programme Co-ordinator for the Federation in the region who reported that: “The earthquake was very heavy and lasted much longer than usual, around three minutes. People ran out of their houses and temporary tent shelters and started to run inland. We will be sending out our helicopter and plane at first light to assess the situation along the coast. At this time we are concerned about the coastal islands where initial reports say there has been some damage and injuries.” The Indonesian Red Cross has put into place its evacuation procedures and is warning people to move inland in a calm way. Staff and volunteers of the Sri Lanka Red Cross are on stand-by with ambulances, ready to respond to community needs as the situation develops. The International Federation is confident that there are enough relief stocks, vehicles and emergency staff on the ground in the affected countries ready to respond to the needs of the coastal communities. Detailed assessments will commence in the morning. The Federation's Head of Delegation for Indonesia will attend a coordination meeting tomorrow morning at 7.30am in Jakarta with government authorities. More information will be made available as the assessment commences. Media contacts Siân Bowen: +41 79 416 3881 Head of Media, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Geneva) Lena Eskeland, Sri Lanka: +94 77 318 49 63 Rosemarie North, Sri Lanka: +94 77 314 92 86 Virgil Grandfield, Indonesia: +62 812 10 48 207 Maude Froberg, Thailand: +66 182 39 218 For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Siân Bowen, Head of Media Service Tel. + 41 79 217 33 88 Media Service duty phone Tel. + 41 79 416 3881 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 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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