Impact
PDA received a recent report that our partners, through ACT (Action by Churches Together), are sending medical personnel and equipment to treat at least 2,000 people in the areas of West Sumatra. The region was hit by two earthquakes, centered in the area of Padang, in a 24-hour period. As of October 1, 2009, the death count was at 1,100 and rising.
Hospitals throughout Padang city were severely damaged, including Padang’s largest and only hospital with full surgery facilities. Emergency systems at the hospital failed, even though the hospitals regularly conducted mock drills. Patients are being treated in the hallways due to overcrowding, and an open-air morgue has been set up outside the hospital. External medical assistance is greatly needed. Water supplies in the region are down, with repairs not expected to start until next week.
Partners
PDA is working our mission partners and fellow ACT members, YTBI, YEU and Church World Service (CWS) Indonesia, to assist in the response.
PC(USA) mission co-worker in Indonesia, Rebecca (Becca) Young, will be assisting in the coordinated response effort by Action by Churches Together (ACT). Becca works with the Jakarta Theological Seminary, but the Seminary has agreed to a portion of Becca's time being dedicated to PDA liaison work with partners in Indonesia in disaster situations. Becca served in a comparable position in responding to the 2004 tsunami. PDA has also responded to the earthquake that struck West Java on September 2, 2009.
Yakkum Emergency Unit
YEU has deployed three emergency teams to West Sumatra, two of which reached the most badly affected region of Pariaman on Friday afternoon (local time).
The first team departed from Medan (North Sumatra) and consists of two medical doctors, two nurses, one physiotherapist and one logistician equipped with medicines, suture kits and wound care equipment — enough to serve 1,500 patients. The team has also taken non-food relief items including 100 personal hygiene kits, 50 baby care kits, 100 blankets and 50 tarpaulins.
The second team departed from Yogyakarta and consists of an information and psychosocial assessment officer and one nurse specialized in emergency care from Bethesda hospital, Yogyakarta.
The third team will depart from Medan on Friday evening, consisting of one medical doctor and one logistician equipped with medicines, suture kits and wound care equipment sufficient for 500 patients.
In anticipation of power outages, the team is also equipped with two generators with 5,000 watt capacity and enough fuel supply to be able to support the medical services in the field.
Medical service and mobile clinics will be set up in the regions to serve 2,000 survivors and post-operative patients who have been unable to access hospital care.
The teams are also assessing the trauma level of children and the immediate needs of survivors.
YEU’s Yogyakarta headquarters team is currently preparing for the deployment of a water purification system.
What you can do
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. |
