Indonesia earthquake – Update Oct 06

Almost one week after a severe earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, rescue operations are coming to an end and the search for survivors has been stepped down. But relief operations will continue, focusing on assisting the thousands of people that have lost their homes and loved ones and are now living in very harsh conditions.

MSF has sent emergency teams and relief materials to the area of the disaster. Almost 50 staff, including doctors, kidney specialists, surgeons, nurses, psychologists and logisticians, both international and Indonesian, are now on the ground. In addition, a cargo plane with 43 tons of material, including medical kits, drugs, logistical and relief materials arrived in Padang on Wednesday morning, October 7.

After assessing the region affected in order to identify the most urgent needs, MSF teams are starting mobile clinics in some of the most hard hit locations, mainly the rural areas surrounding the city of Pariaman, where the level of destruction is particularly high; and also south of Padang, a region that has received little emergency aid so far. These clinics will provide critically needed primary health care to those affected, many of whom are now living in the open. Additionally, MSF psychologists will offer psychosocial support to those traumatised by the disaster.

In the surrounding area of Pariaman, several villages were almost totally destroyed by landslides, and access is still very difficult. In other locations, almost all houses have been partly or totally destroyed by the quake. In support to those whom have lost almost everything, MSF is commencing the distribution of essential goods, such as plastic sheeting, while also evaluating the need for hygiene and cooking kits. As most of the infrastructure was destroyed in some villages, MSF water and sanitations specialists are also assessing what needs may need to be covered.

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