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Indonesia
earthquake: Red Cross Red Crescent launches emergency appeal 27 May 2006 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an emergency appeal for 12 million Swiss francs ($9.79 million USD/ €7.68 million) to support the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in providing assistance to the survivors of the earthquake, which struck the island of Java on Saturday 27 May. At least 2,700 people have been killed and an estimated 3,000 injured by the quake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter Scale. Around 200,000 people have been made homeless. The Indonesian Red Cross, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, responded to the disaster immediately by mobilizing more than 400 volunteers and staff in the region. Red Cross medical experts and a rapid assessment team were also deployed to the earthquake zone. Five medical teams from the Indonesian Red Cross, supported by additional personnel from the Singapore Red Cross, are already operational on the ground. Five more PMI medical teams from the surrounding area are on their way, while a Red Cross field hospital is also being deployed from Aceh to Yogyakarta. Local Red Cross volunteers have been distributing food, bottled water, tents, tarpaulins and baby kits to the affected population. Additional medical supplies, as well as 1,000 family tents, six field hospital tents and 1,000 body bags are being shipped to the earthquake zone. The quake hit the densely populated area near the city of Yogyakarta along Java’s southern coast and caused severe damage to buildings in the surrounding area, including the towns of Klaten, Bantul and Kulon. The epicentre was located in the Indian Ocean, 37 kilometres south of Yogyakarta. It did not cause a tsunami wave. “In Bantul, 70 to 80 per cent of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, while electricity and water services have also been affected throughout the region,” said Arnulv Torbjornsen, Head of the International Federation’s delegation in Jakarta. “Aftershocks are continuing to shake the city and many people remain trapped under buildings and rubble,” he added. The quake struck close to Mt Merapi, an active volcano that has been threatening to erupt for several weeks. It is not known whether the earthquake will cause Mt Merapi’s activity to increase, but local officials and Red Cross representatives are closely monitoring the situation. “The Indonesian Red Cross has been gearing up for the threat of Mt Merapi’s eruption since April,” said Mar’ie Muhammad, Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross. “As a result, we were well positioned to send emergency relief supplies and medical staff to the site as soon as the quake struck.” For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Indonesia: Teresita Uspadin, Information Delegate Tel: +62 812 100 35 99 Howard Arfin, Reporting Coordinator Tel. +62 812 104 82 14 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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