Clean water and sanitation are top priorities

(Oct. 3, 2009) - CARE International has deployed emergency items to the earthquake zone in Indonesia and is preparing to distribute the life-saving materials to survivors. CARE is part of a coordinated international effort to bring relief to the estimated 200,000 people affected by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the area on September 30th.

"Getting supplies to survivors in these first few days is crucial, " says Adjie Fachrurrazi, CARE Emergency Response Coordinator in Indonesia, from the disaster zone. "Water sources have been contaminated or destroyed and this heightens the risk of disease for survivors. We must get clean water to them now."

CARE is preparing for the distribution of jerry cans and water purification kits, as well as blankets, sarongs, hygiene kits, and materials to build community latrines.

CARE's emergency relief focus will be on the heavily damaged district and city of Padang Pariaman. Access to many areas in this region has been hampered by blocked roads and limited communications, yet CARE's emergency team has been able to actively operate on the ground.

"Those people who survived are living with minimal supplies and no electricity. Although the road is still inaccessible in some areas, it is crucial that we reach them and deliver the relief," says Fachrurrazi.

The current death toll stands above 700, but thousands more are feared buried under the rubble. Most of the survivors are staying outside in an open area, fearing to go back inside. Water pipes were destroyed along with sanitation facilities in most areas.

The resulting limitations on water and sanitation heavily affects women and children, who are the most vulnerable in the aftermath of disaster. Women, for example, have to care for their babies and young infants. To do so, they need to maintain their personal hygiene and ensure that the environment where they sheltered is keep clean, despite limited supplies and exposure to the elements.

About CARE: CARE is one of the world's largest aid agencies, working in 70 countries to fight poverty and helping more than 55 million people every year. CARE has been in Indonesia since 1967, and operates a broad range of integrated projects in disaster risk reduction, emergency response, environment and natural resource management, health, livelihoods and water and sanitation.

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For more information or to set up interviews with the emergency team on the ground, please contact:

Kieran Green, Communications Coordinator, CARE Canada 613-228-5678 cell: 613-799-7562 media@care.ca

Melanie Brooks (Geneva): +41 79 590 30 47, brooks@careinternational.org