Strong
Earthquake Endangers Families in Western Sumatra
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Sumatra Earthquake - Damaged Mosque. A man walks near a mosque damaged by earthquakes in
the Indonesian town of Solok, West Sumatra province March 6, 2007. A strong earthquake and a powerful aftershock hit Indonesia's Sumatra island on Tuesday, killing at least 70 people, and
trapping scores more under flattened buildings. Tremors from the initial 6.3 magnitude earthquake were felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore, where several buildings were evacuated.
REUTERS/Muhammad Fitrah (Copyright: REUTERS/Muhammad Fitrah (INDONESIA) , )
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
The aid agency is
launching a joint assessment mission with Mercy Corps to the affected areas of Sumatra - the same island that suffered the highest number of fatalities in the December 2004 tsunami. Save the Children
is evaluating the impact of the disaster on its programs throughout the island and assessing how best to support children and families in need. The agency, which has been working in
Sumatra for more than 30 years and which continues to assist thousands of children and families affected by the tsunami, reports that all agency staff members in the area are safe."Save
the Children is coordinating with government officials, community leaders and local partners to address the needs of displaced families and children," said Rudy Von Bernuth, who heads Save the
Children's emergency response efforts worldwide. "Indonesia has been through so much. We want to do everything we can to help families recover from this latest disaster."The
6.3-magnitude quake struck at mid-morning Indonesian time and was followed by a 6-magnitude aftershock. Homes and buildings have been flattened in Solok and Padang, located on the west-central coast
of the island. Authorities report at least 70 dead and scores of injuries.Indonesia is located on the seismically volatile "Pacific Ring of Fire." In addition to the tsunami, the
nation has experienced frequent earthquakes and severe flooding in the last few years.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
