Cologne/Sumatra. After the severe earthquakes in Indonesia, Malteser International helps the in-jured victims by supporting its Indonesian partner organisation YEU (Yakkum Emergency Unit) providing medical support to the blessed. "The earthquakes damaged numerous houses, many peo-ple have been injured", Roland Hansen, Head of Africa Desk of Malteser International, says after phone calls with the Malteser International staff in Sumatra „The public hospital in Bengkulu ur-gently asked for help. Our partner organisation already sent a doctor and a nurse to support the hos-pital team and to assess if further help will be needed. In addition, our staff members in Medan and Aceh are in alert and prepared to initiate further activities."

The first earthquake registering 8.2 on the Richter scale hit the region on Wednesday, followed by two further big quakes on Thursday. Large parts of Sumatra's hinterland have not been reached until now. "The communication with remote villages is difficult because of an blackout", Roland Hansen says. Staff members of Malteser International report that there has been panic because of the tsunami-warning issued shortly after the quakes.

Attention editorial offices! Roland Hansen, Head of Asia Desk of Malteser International, is avail-able for interviews. Please contact +49 (0) 221 / 9822 - 213.