Indonesia Earthquake Update

November 16, 2009 - Play Therapy
The school was filled with students the first day we visited. Some classrooms were severely damaged. There was no greeting from the children, just confusion.

We started by introducing ourselves and explaining our purpose in coming to the school. Slowly, the atmosphere changed with friendly and smiling faces. Songs and games became our bridge of communication. There was excitement we sang and danced. Doing arts and crafts activities helped them release all the fear and burdens caused by the earthquake.

» Find out how play therapy helped these kids

We still need your help to bring aid to the thousands in need.
Please help earthquake victims in Indonesia.

October 26, 2009
Since our last update, HOPE worldwide continues to try to meet the needs of the thousands of Earthquake victims in Indonesia.

Since the earthquake, we have:

• treated 1,005 patients through mobile clinics.
• distributed 6,200 tarpaulins, 12,400 blankets, and 140,000 DRR flyers to teach people how to respond to disasters
• started psychosocial support through play therapy in one primary school.

Why We Still Need Your Help

• The government will end its relief period on Oct 31, but NGOs and the UN will continue providing relief
• IFRC have only raised about $2 million CHF (swiss francs) of $19 million they appealed for
• The $38 Million (US) appealed for by 11 UN agencies and 18 NGOs is still far from reality

After assessing the damage in Padang and the surrounding areas, HOPE worldwide Director Charles Ham describes the destruction and hopelessness that the Indonesian people are facing.

"Although water and electricity can be scarce, lives go on for those least affected by the earthquake. For those who were not so lucky, life remains miserable. Their homes, schools, public facilities, employment, and most importantly hope were all destroyed. Years of progress were destroyed in a few minutes alone..."

» Read the rest of Charles Ham's report

According to the UN, the number affected by the September 30 Earthquake has risen:

• 739 people died
• 296 people are missing
• 863 people are severely injured 
• 1356 are slightly injured
• 121,679 houses were severely damaged

HOPE worldwide has distributed 455 tarpaulins for the homeless to use for temporary shelter. 6200 more tarpaulins and 12,400 blankets are coming in the next week or two.

Mobile Medical teams, consisting of six doctors and five nurses, treated 557 patients in five days and evacuated six patients to one of the few hospitals still standing.

A psychosocial team is working with many traumatized children through art and play therapy. HOPE worldwide is also currently setting up a school tent for as many children as possible.

While much has been given, much is still needed. The government has said that a number of people in remote areas have still received no food, water or aid. With homes, hospitals and roads destroyed, there are many difficulties ahead for Indonesia.

Padang, October 4, 2009
Indonesia Team On the Ground 24 Hours After Quake

The West Sumatera Earthquake on September 30, 2009 has caused:

• 603 dead
• 343 missing
• an unconfirmed number of people are still trapped
• 412 severely injured
• 2039 slightly injured
• 736 displaced people as reported by BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency)
• 179,629 houses damaged
  
  

The damage assessment is yet to be completed and the casualties may increase.

HOPE worldwide dispatched a disaster relief team within 24 hours after the earthquake.  The team has distributed 65 emergency shelters (tarpaulins) in Ulakan Tapakis sub-district, Padang Pariaman District.  An additional 200 tarpaulins are arriving tomorrow to be distributed, while 150 more are coming in the next few days.

HOPE worldwide and WHO has been coordinating a health cluster in supporting the Ministry of Health. The team visit villages conducting mobile clinics. The team will continue to bring hope with 1,000 pounds of medical supplies to more remote villages in dire need of life-saving medical care. An additional 2,000 pounds of medical supplies are waiting in the U.S. for customs clearance.
 
The 10-member medical team has treated patients in remote and unreached villages.The team has also treated 19 patients with broken legs. The patients have been stabilized in the home of a local resident, and will be transported to a local hospital be air lifted in the morning. Medical care and follow up will be needed for these patients as well help to rebuild their lives after losing houses, family members  and  now facing the possibility of being handicapped. Psychosocial support and follow up will also be provided for patients. 

There is still much to do in West Sumatera as time is ticking and hope is disappearing for many. Tonight the region is experiencing heavy rain and disaster victims are struggling to survive in their makeshift shelters. The villages we have visited are in need of at least 20,000 shelters for as many families impacted. 

Pray that we can bring help and hope to those in desperate need before it is too late.

Win also reported that "HOPE worldwide, which has sent in 50 tarpaulins as initial support with a disaster relief team, said: 'We do not have a clear picture yet. At this moment, everyone is waiting for rapid assessment from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the ground.'"

As well as distributing shelters, HOPE worldwide Indonesia is assembling a medical team and child protection team that will be leaving soon from Jakarta.

Please pray for the rescue and relief efforts in Indonesia as the impact of this latest disaster becomes clear.

West Sumatra Quake - September 30
Another 7.6 Richter Scale earthquake hit West Sumatra yesterday. The area has been continuously hit with earthquakes, and yesterday's was one of the worst. HOPE worldwide's disaster relief team assembled within hours after the event and set to go to Padang. The airport in Padang sustained damage, causing the authorities to close. The team is waiting for the airport to be opened to bring 50 temporary shelters (tarpaulins) as an initial response and to conduct a rapid assessment on the ground.

“ The number of casualties is still not clear yet, but is reported by Reuters.com to be as high as 500 deaths”

West Java Earthquake - September 2
HOPE worldwide Indonesia completed distributing temporary shelters, blankets, clothes, and many other relief supplies for 1,050 families that were victims of the September 2nd Earthquake just before the Muslim majority residents were supposed to celebrate Idul Fitri. The team also designed and distributed 200,000 DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) material packs in the form of flyers to mitigate the risk of future aftershocks. 10 temporary school tents were also set up in Marga Mulya Village Panagalengan to be able to open up classes on September 28.

We are also providing psychosocial support through Play Therapy and Art Therapy for the children. A lot needs to be done before the residents start having their damaged houses rebuilt and their lives pieced back together.

As an international relief and development NGO (non-governmental organization), HOPE worldwide is actively involved in bringing hope and changing lives in 80 countries globally. As a special consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council, we are working closely with other organizations, corporations, individuals and communities to bring real change into the lives of poor and needy. 

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