A 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the western Indonesian island of Sumatra on September 30, 2009. Initial reports indicate at least 75 people were confirmed dead after the collapse of hotels and hospitals. The death toll is expected to rise because of fears that many remain trapped under building rubble. The quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks, two of which were over 6.0-magnitude.
A Indonesian woman cries. Photo courtesy of Jefri Aries/IRIN. Areas most impacted
Particularly hard-hit was the provincial capital of Padang and the nearby Pariaman District, near the epicentre of the quake. According to geologists Padang, which lies near the colliding Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates, is vulnerable to more quakes and tsunamis. The 2004 tsunami was triggered by a 9.15 magnitude quake, whose epicentre was roughly 600 km (373 miles) northwest of Padang.
Lifter Tua Marbun, a staff member of PDA’s partner Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia, known by its acronym YTB, reported that many residents in Pariaman District evacuated to open fields.
"Some of them sought refuge in the local mosques, but many mosques have been filled and many people cannot get shelter," he reported.
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in contact with local partners in Indonesia including Church World Service Indonesia, YTBI, and others to conduct assessments and provide relief assistance as necessary.
Rebecca (Becca) Young, a PCUSA Mission Co-worker in Indonesia has also been contacted. Although Becca works with the Jakarta Theological Seminary, the Seminary has agreed to a portion of Becca’s time being dedicated to PDA liaison work with partners in Indonesia is disaster situations. Becca was instrumental in facilitating PDA’s response to the 2004 Indonesia tsunami response and maintains relationships all of PDA’s partners that participated in that response.
What you can do
Complete assessments have just begun. You can help the church in this response:
- Through your prayers.
- Through your generosity. Your contributions provide the resources needed to assist with immediate and long-term recovery needs.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) website, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000146 – Indonesia
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels. |
