SurfAid Provides Support For Earthquake Victims
October 5, 2009 – 10:56 pm PT by MikeTags: Earthquake, Indonesia, Ryan Sheckler, SurfAid —
For those of you that don’t know a large Earthquake hit Indonesia on October 1st destroying the very little that these folks had. Even though we like to make a lot of jokes (especially at a certain “handsome” pro skater) this is a serious issue and it’s good to know that there is people like the folks at SurfAid out there doing their thing. Please keep reading and learn what you can do to help:
SurfAid International is looking for donations to help support the people of Indonesia affected by the Padang earthquake (7.6 on the Richter scale) on September 30th, and has launched an Emergency Response Appeal. Donations can be made by visit SurfAid International’s site. Here’s an update from the organization on its efforts over the last few days:
“SurfAid Situation Report from Padang (4pm Monday 5 October 2009):
SurfAid’s Matt Hannon, who is normally based at Katiet village in the Mentawai Islands, assists with distributing emergency items to residents of Padang’s Chinatown, which was one of the most damaged areas of the city.
Photo: SurfAid International
In the days since Thursday 1 October, the morning after the first big earthquake near Padang, SurfAid has partnered with a church volunteer group (World Harvest IFGF) to provide any possible help for survivors in Chinatown, one of Padang’s worst hit areas.
SurfAid has contributed medical supplies such as first aid kits, dehydration solutions, sutures, minor surgery kits and bandages, along with the distribution of clothes and tents from the IFGF to all poskos (coordination posts) in Chinatown and other areas with similar needs.
SurfAid is going to set up a trauma clinic with IFGF and assessment is taking place at the moment for the best, safe locations. SurfAid is in process of getting at least 20 trauma counsellors.
SurfAid target areas are: District of West Pasaman and Agam, and trauma clinics in Padang.
Padang Update from SurfAid Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Judge (Sunday 4 October 2009):
The government reports that 21,400 buildings are damaged or beyond repair. Many people are homeless or too scared to return to their homes due to fear of further earthquakes and a possible tsunami, so they are living outside in temporary shelters they have erected.
We need urgent funds to buy medical supplies, tents, tarpaulins, water and food. Our appeal is at www.surfaidinternational.org
SurfAid’s Padang office survived the earthquakes and we have now re-established Internet and phones.
SurfAid:
- is helping a local clinic by looking for medical supplies for them and a hospital
- has been assigned by the UN to assess coastal areas to the north, which were heavily smashed. Three SurfAid assessment teams left for there last night (Sat 3 Oct)
- has full responsibility for the Mentawai and Telos islands (Tom Plummer’s latest update on the Mentawai is below)
- will work with Mercy Corps in mainland Sumatra.
SurfAid Mentawai Program Manager Tom Plummer Reports (Saturday 3 October 2009):
Mentawai: Damage reported in three subdistricts on the islands of Siberut and Sipora include: three severely damaged houses; 106 moderately damaged. In terms of infrastructure: nine offices, six schools, two mosques, four churches and three bridges have all been classified as heavily damaged. SurfAid indicates significant impact of psychological trauma for residents who have no source of reliable information. Most of Mentawai islands do not have access to mobile phones, radio or television.
The Vice Bupati (Regent) and a local government delegation were heading to Padang on the morning of Monday 5 October to meet with the Governor.
Rapid Assessment on West Sumatra Earthquake from Agam and West Pasaman Regency
On October 4-5, 2009, three teams from SurfAid International did Rapid Assessment in two regencys, Agam and West Pasaman, West Sumatra, using the form from UNOCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) Indonesia.
Two three-person teams went to West Pasaman and one team to Agam. The people interviewed were the local stakeholders – a female teacher, head of IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camps, a village leader and health staff.
1. The worst affected subdistricts in West Pasaman regency are:
a. Subdistrict of Kinali
b. Subdistrict of Luhak Nan Duo
c. Subdistrict of Sasak Ranah Pesisir
2. Agam regency
a. Subdistrict of Lubuk Basung
b. Subdistrict of Tanjung Raya
c. Subdistrict of Tanjung Mutiara
d. Subdistrict of Empat Nagari
There are eight out of 21 Ayam regency subdistricts which were badly hit by the earthquake, but the other four subdistricts are being handled by another NGO (IOM).
About 60-90 per cent of houses are damaged to the extent of being uninhabitable or dangerous, while the damage to public facilities (mosque, school, health centre, market) is about 20 – 50 per cent.
Recommendation:
Based on the stakeholders interviewed, needed most for the communities in Agam and West Pasaman are:
1. Tents
2. Food
3. Drinking water
4. Blankets
5. Water and sanitation
6. Personal hygiene
7. Cooking utensils
8. Medicine
9. Electricity
The communities have already received donations from the government and some NGOs but only in small amounts.”
