ACT SitRep

Indonesia 03/07

Sumatra Earthquake

September 19, 2007

General Situation
People are starting to clear the rubble after an 8.4 earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, causing scores of buildings to collapse. The initial earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks ranging in intensity from 4.9 to 7.8.

Although aid has been rushed to the quake-stricken area, reports indicate that the more isolated areas in Bengkulu Utara and the Mentawai Islands are still without assistance.

The main public hospital in Bengkulu is still not operational, due to damage caused by the quake. Concerns have been raised that the islands in particular do not have adequate medical supplies.

Water and food are still in short supply.

The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about 70 islands off the western coast of Sumatra. Siberut (4,030 km²) is the largest of the islands. The other major islands are Sipura, North Pagai (Pagai Utara) and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan). The islands lie approximately 150 km off the Sumatran coast, across the Mentawai Strait.

ACT member responses:
ACT members are coordinating their work and still assessing the situation. Damage to houses is quite extensive, but the government has designated a significant amount of money for rehabilitation. ACT members are in the process of determining any formal ACT response, given that the government has not officially asked for international aid.

Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU)
YEU is continuing its response through the Christian Church of Southern Sumatra (GKSBS) and is focusing primarily on the health of survivors following an initial assessment. YEU deployed medical staff to support the public hospital in Bengkulu. The team reached Bengkulu on Friday afternoon, coordinating their work with the director of Bengkulu public hospital. A medical team from Lampung also joined the team on Saturday and assisted in conducting a health assessment in the Bengkulu Utara district.

YEU has sent medical supplies to support local doctors and nurses on the Pagai and Sipina islands, coordinating their work with the vice chair of the Mentawai Islands. Depending on needs and usage, medical supplies could support up to 5,000 people.

Church World Service (CWS) Indonesia
An emergency response team from CWS Indonesia arrived in the village of Lunang Silaut, West Sumatra on the evening of September 17, 2007. The village is located on the southern coastline border between West Sumatera and Bengkulu and is one of the worst affected areas from the earthquake and after shocks. The team faced some difficulties in reaching the area due to a landslide that blocked one of the access roads.

Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia (YTBI)
YTBI is working through its implementing partner the Christian Protestant Church of Mentawai (GKPM) and has sent a program officer to Padang to coordinate with a central command post for the emergency.

YTBI and volunteers from GKPM have distributed assistance in Siberut Utara, Siberut Selatan, Sioban, Tuapeijat, Sikakap and Seybaru. Material support has included 19 tarpaulins, 10 rolls of ropes, 99 boxes of biscuits, 2 plastic tents and 40 mattresses.

YTBI’s rapid relief officer is currently in Bengkulu conducting an assessment and working with their implementing partner, GKSBS. YTBI has also distributed 300 infant kits in Bengkulu and 30 tents in Sukamakmur.