ACT News Update

ACT members in Indonesia assess situation following earthquake

Geneva, November 17, 2004—Members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in Indonesia are assessing the situation and considering ways to assist survivors in a joint response following the earthquake that hit the island of Alor near East Timor early the morning of November 11. Aftershocks have continued since the first quake, including one measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale on the morning of November 16.

According to the latest figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 26 people have been killed, 116 seriously injured, and 119 slightly injured. Thousands of houses have been damaged or destroyed, and public buildings, such as churches and mosques, schools and government buildings, have also been affected. Nine sub-districts are affected, with a total population of 36,333 households.

Staff from ACT members YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), Yayasan Tanggul Benkana (YTB) and Church World Service – Indonesia (CWS), along with the general secretary of GMIT Synod Board, a local partner of YTB, plan to fly to Alor on Monday, November 22 to assess the damage. The members are reporting, however, that local transportation in Alor is bad and that there is damage to roads. In the meantime, the members have agreed to share information and plan a possible response together based on their respective field assessments with their various networks.

To assist with survivors’ immediate needs, YTB has already sent IDR 15 million (US$1,700) to the area. On November 16, medicine and tents from YEU were expected to leave by ship for Alor. YEU, with its community organizer, humanitarian forum network, local health division in Alor, and a local non-governmental organization in Alor, also plans to provide a mobile health team in three damaged areas - District Pantar, District Alor Timur laut Maritaing and Alor selatan - as an immediate response while it continues the assessment process. YEU expresses the hope that YTB, GMIT Synod Board and CWS can join these efforts.

The national and local governments and humanitarian organizations have provided food and non-food aid to the stricken areas, including tents, medicine, clothing, rice, vegetable oil, lentils and noodles.

The ACT Coordinating Office will continue to be in contact with members in Indonesia.

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