October 8, 2009

Situation

The official death toll from the West Sumatra, Indonesia, earthquake that struck Sept. 30, now stands at 704, the Associated Press reported, a figure that has both climbed and dropped. However, officials still believe thousands died and remain missing. Some 180,000 buildings were flattened or severely damaged, Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency said, quoted by the AP.

In the Padang Pariaman district where CWS has responded, 12,315 houses were destroyed and 54 schools have collapsed. Hundreds of houses of worship and general facilities were also destroyed. In addition, in Pariaman city itself, 10,581 houses were severely damaged; 88 general facilities collapsed; 76 schools were damaged; and 69 houses of worship had limited damage.

The affected locations in Padang Pariaman are widely dispersed and are mostly in mountainous areas, which makes them difficult to access, CWS staff in Indonesia reports. The quake has damaged numerous roads, caused landslides and downed power lines. Many villages can now only be reached by foot.

Data from rapid assessments by CWS and partners shows that there were 208 people killed and 332 badly injured in Padang Pariaman district. In Pariaman city, 29 people died and 49 were severely injured. The number of deaths is expected to increase further as debris is cleared.

Displaced persons are not concentrated in one location such as a camp. Instead, earthquake-affected people are tending to stay close to their damaged or destroyed houses. Even many of those whose houses were not destroyed are sleeping outdoors for fear of aftershocks.

This makes on-site emergency shelter urgent as affected populations are exposed to the elements. Another urgent concern is access to adequate water supply and sanitation, as water wells are contaminated and few latrines are functioning.

CWS initial crisis response A CWS team and two trucks loads of non-food items arrived in Padang Pariaman on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Additional supplies have been sent in more recent days.

CWS has, thus far, distributed 23 tarps in Durian Daun hamlet and four tarps in Sungai Tira hamlet, and 216 tarps, 350 mats and 805 blankets in seven hamlets in Pilubang Village, Sungai Limau subdistrict. More staff are being deployed in Padang Pariaman to support the emergency response. A water and sanitation assessment is under way in Sungai Limau subdistrict and other work is being done on temporary latrine construction and water distribution.

An assessment on the needs of children under age 5 is also being conducted; CWS will provide nutrition supplementation this age group in Pilubang village.

CWS has also dispatched a psychosocial specialist to conduct psychosocial response training for volunteers.

In its efforts, CWS is coordinating with partners and Action by Churches Together members Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia and Yakkum Emergency Unit.

Longer-term crisis/recovery phase response The goal of the longer-term work by CWS will be to assist the survivors in Padang Pariaman District, West Sumatra - some 86,720 persons, over the course of the next year.

Crisis Phase (over two months): to provide non-food items; food aid to children under age 5; access to water supply, hygiene and sanitation facilities; emergency shelter materials and tools for rehabilitation/ reconstruction of houses; and psychosocial first aid for affected population, particularly women and children.

Crisis/Recovery Phase (over ten months): to improve access to water supplies and sanitation facilities; provide temporary shelter and communal facilities; provide livelihood recovery assistance; establish communities' capacity in disaster risk reduction.