Earthquakes threaten lives in Indonesia

 
 
How we respond
    
  • Check or money orders sent to:
    ELCA Int'l Disaster Response
    Attn: Indonesia Earthquakes
    PO Box 71764
    Chicago, IL 60694-1764
    write "Indonesia Earthquakes" on your check's memo line.
     
  • credit card by phone: 800.638.3522
  • or online. Credit card contributions may also be made via mail.
     

    • The Situation:

    UPDATE:  Officials believe thousands died and remain missing as search and recovery efforts continue. Some 180,000 buildings were flattened or severely damaged, Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency said, quoted by the AP. The affected locations in Padang Pariaman are widely dispersed and are mostly in mountainous areas, which makes them difficult to access, The quake has damaged numerous roads, caused landslides and downed power lines. Many villages can now only be reached by foot. Even as immediate relief efforts are underway, long term planning is in the works.  10/8/09


    Two earthquakes have caused more than 1,100 deaths, as reported by the UN; many are still buried under the rubble. The Sept. 30 7.6 magnitude earthquake was followed by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake the next day that has left heavy damage to homes, hospitals, business and religious centers in West Sumatra. Major damage was suffered by the provincial capital of Padang, a city of 900,000. This area rests on one of the world's most active fault lines known as the "Ring of Fire." Local officials are concerned that the full extent of damage could equal that of the 2006 earthquake which killed 5,000 in Yogyakarta, Java.

    While search and rescue operations have come to an end, the Indonesian government and international aid agencies are now focusing on rushing aid to communities outside Padang and on preventing outbreaks of disease from dirty water and the many decomposing bodies still buried in collapsed buildings. Needs for thousands of displaced survivors has started trickling in, but relief operations have been hampered by power blackouts, a lack of heavy equipment to shift fallen masonry, and difficulty in access to remote areas. Many roads and bridges in the hills outside Padang have been destroyed by landslides, which have also buried a number of villages.

    A report from HKBP (Protestant Christian Batak Church), a companion of the ELCA, tells that the HKBP Padang Church was completely destroyed; there is no further information about damage to area homes. The HKBP Diaconal Department is sending a team to assess damage and casualties.

    ELCA Response:

    ELCA International Disaster Response has been actively communicating companions on the ground to assess the extent of damage and need. The HKBP Nommensen University's Center for Disaster Risk Management and Community Development Studies (CDRN&CDS), which was established by the Lutheran World Federation through ELCA support, stand ready to assist with church appeals. Another ELCA companion institution in Indonesia, YAKKUM Emergency Unit, has deployed an emergency response team to distribute initial relief materials - blankets, tents, hygiene kits - along with a medical team of nurses and doctors to respond to health and psychological needs in coordination with local authorities. An immediate grant of $30,000 has been sent to YAKKUM for their planned response; ELCA International Disaster Response anticipates that the need is much greater than this initial gift and will continue to work with YAKKUM and other local partners to plan additional contributions from the ELCA.

    What you can do:

    Pray:

    Please remember the people of Indonesia in your prayers. Prayer petitions are provided by the staff of the ELCA worship team.  Include these prayers in your personal time of devotion and in your Congregation Prayers.

    Study and Share:

    In addition to what you find in the media, look at the following.  
        ACT International
         Church World Service
         Oxfam International 
    Return here periodically for updates.

    Give:

    Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response help us to provide immediate and effective support to communities which are hurting and in need. Please consider giving to support the needs of this response and others like it. Information on giving is provided in the box on the right “How You Can Help.” Your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Funding is vitally needed at this time.


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    Photo: ACT International @ 2009