SurfAid has launched an Emergency Response Appeal to help the people of Padang who were hit by a huge earthquake (7.6 on the Richter scale) on Wednesday 30 September. Please donate here.
In their latest report on the Surfaid situation as of Thursday 8 October 2009. They advise that three SurfAid teams sent to assess where its initial relief efforts should be focused, have returned from the sub-districts of Agam and Pasaman Barat (West Pasaman). This is the region north of Padang which was heavily hit by earthquakes.
Andrew Judge, SurfAid Chief Operating Officer, speaking from SurfAid Emergency Response headquarters in Padang siad today that SurfAid was requested by UN-OCHA to undertake rapid assessment of two coastal sub-districts of Agam and we found 75,000 people without shelter. He advises that Rain is forecast for the next week so SurfAid is urgently planning with other agencies to respond to this assessment.
Yesterday a SurfAid loaded a boat with 300 shelter kits, 700 tarpaulins, 300 construction kits and 500 hygiene packs, plus medical staff for Pasaman Barat left Padang for Sasak Harbour in the north. The boat carries a team of six from SurfAid, along with one person from Trocaire. The journey will take eight hours.
The emergency supplies will be distributed to the three worst-hit sub-districts of Pasaman Barat:
1. Sasak Ranah Pasisia, IDPs* 1000
2. Luhak Nan Duo, IDPs* 15,000
3. Kinali, IDPs* 30,000
Kuala Intan will act as a floating warehouse, staff accommodation and communication post. The team will take two motorbikes onboard the boat. Other boats are standing by in Muara Harbour if further supplies are needed to Sasak.
SurfAid Founder and CEO Dr Dave Jenkins, Matt Hannon and Tom Plummer will depart Padang to Sasak with a speedboat to do primary treatment and further assessment this morning.
Shelter has been identified as key priority in all areas and SurfAid is currently sourcing shelter kits from cities outside Padang.
Dr Dave Jenkins, said all SurfAid staff have rallied, despite some of them having near-death experiences and others losing their homes. The team spirit amazes me yet again as we roll out our program to the many people in need, Dr Dave said. These are unforgettable moments for our maturing organisation – to serve with such warm-hearted people passionately committed to the welfare of others.
* IDPs – Internally Displaced Persons. These figures are a broad estimation only.
Russell Darnley Blog 