Crisis watch

Indonesia earthquake and tsunami

CARE is participating in a joint assessment of people's needs following the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, and we are preparing hygiene kits and emergency shelter kits for distribution in the affected areas in the north of the island.

Reaching the more remote affected areas is particularly challenging in the aftermath of the disaster. Our partners at a local NGO said it took them around 18 hours to reach the more remote areas of Donggala. They report that the biggest worry and tragedy in the area is the numbers of people still lost out at sea after being swept away by the tsunami waves.

Meanwhile, people in the area report that local government has come to a standstill, as officials are also among the victims, and they have not received any assistance since the earthquake happened.

Former CARE staff living in Palu city have commented on the number of pregnant women in need of medical services; those who have sufficient funds are being evacuated to Makassar in the south, while those with less money are still unable to leave.

• Read more eye witness testimony in our story Indonesia tsunami: “We are in urgent need of help”
• Donate now to our Indonesia Tsunami Appeal

Indonesia earthquake and tsunami

The number of people known to have died in the earthquake and tsunami has risen to more than 1,200. More than 48,000 people have been displaced from their homes. These numbers are expected to rise as more affected areas are reached. Up to 1.5 million people may be affected by the disaster.

Survivors are already facing shortages of basic supplies, including water and food. CARE and other humanitarian actors are concerned that if an effective and coordinated humanitarian response is not implemented quickly, there is a significant risk of disease outbreaks and a further deterioration of health conditions.

Donggala, Mamuji and Parigi Moutong have not yet been reached and assessed. These areas were closest to the epicentre and are likely to have been severely affected by both the earthquake and the tsunami. CARE aims to respond in Donggala, which is the most difficult area to reach.

Our emergency response coordinator, health and hygiene expert, gender expert and logistics expert will be travelling to Donggala to carry out an assessment. Operations will be set up first in the CARE Indonesia office in Makassar (south Sulawesi), including preparation of hygiene kits and emergency shelter kits, and then in Donggala.

• Read more in our press release CARE responds to earthquake and tsunami as death toll soars
• Detailed update about the situation in this briefing note from ACAPS and the START Network, of which CARE is a member
• Donate now to our Indonesia Tsunami Appeal

Indonesia earthquake and tsunami

The government of Indonesia has declared a state of national emergency following the earthquake and tsunami on Sulawesi, and has issued a formal request for international assistance. CARE is preparing a needs assessment in order to target assistance at those most affected. Sukmawati - a former CARE staff member living in the area, whose brother was killed by the earthquake - told us:

Drinking water and shelter is very limited and we are having to fend for ourselves. When it rained yesterday we had to move to a nearby building to take cover and others slept outside.

CARE Indonesia Country Director Helen Vanwel said:

We are shocked by the number of people that have perished, and we fear this number will get much worse. We now need to focus on how we can help survivors. In a natural disaster of this scale, even finding clean water to drink can be a real challenge. In the aftermath of this level of destruction, people’s thoughts turn to sources of income and a home, and these are just some of the areas where organisations like CARE can help provide support.

• Read more in our press release Indonesia earthquake and tsunami: Indonesia earthquake and tsunami: CARE begins emergency response activities as death toll soars
• Donate now to our Indonesia Tsunami Appeal

Indonesia earthquake

Over 800 people have lost their lives and over 16,000 people have had to abandon their homes following the devastating earthquake and the resulting tsunami which hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Although information from the affected area remains scarce, we anticipate these numbers will grow considerably over the coming hours and days.

Reports already suggest that supplies are running out and that we need act fast to ensure we are able to provide the help needed to save lives. The CARE Indonesia team is assessing the situation along with the government and other agencies, and we have already allocated initial funding from our Emergency Response Fund and are preparing to respond.

• Please donate now to our Indonesia Tsunami Appeal

Indonesia

CARE is closely monitoring the situation in Indonesia and is ready to respond if and when needed, after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi today. Wahyu Widayanto, CARE Indonesia’s Emergency Coordinator, said:

Whilst CARE does not work in the affected area, we are monitoring the situation closely and have a team of 10 emergency response specialists ready to respond if needed. We are prepared and able to assist in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, sexual and reproductive health support and livelihoods assistance. Our thoughts are currently with all those affected by this terrible event.

• Read more in our press release 7.5 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia