ACNS 4150 | ACO | 01 JUNE 2006
ACNS 4150 | ACO | 01 JUNE 2006
Earthquake leads to massive aid effort
England - Christian Relief agencies have swung into action following last Saturday's devastating earthquake which has left almost 6,000 people dead in Indonesia. Measured at 6.3 on the Richter Scale the quake has injured 20,000 and a further 200,000 are estimated to be homeless. Concerns that nearby volcano Mount Merapi might erupt is adding to people's fears of further destruction.
Tearfund's partners working in the city of Yogyakarta, where most damage was caused, are appealing for prayer as they deal with the injured and homeless. Agustin Samosir, of Indonesian Baptist Aid reports: "Churches and youth group members in Yogyakarta are helping people who have not yet received major help. We are helping to evacuate people, prepare public kitchens, deliver meals and distribute plastic tarpaulins for shelter." Heavy rain is also hampering the relief work and many areas are struggling to see aid delivered as hospitals appear overwhelmed by the injured.
In light of Saturday's tragedy John Samuel, Programme Director for Tearfund's Tsunami response programme based in Banda Aceh, says: "People here in Indonesia are worried and fearful. This earthquake struck less than 18 months after the Tsunami." World Vision has also rushed to the scene and is currently distributing aid packages of essential items including blankets, tarpaulins, clothing and medical supplies to provide relief to children and families. So far over 7,000 aid packages have been distributed to the worst-affected Bantul district and World Vision is currently co-ordinating their response with the Indonesian government and other aid agencies.
The heavy rains have forced many to return to their damaged houses despite the threat of further building collapse. Moving people to safer shelters is now one of the man priorities. In addition to housing problems, many concerns have been raised over the protection of children. James East, of World Vision, speaking from Yogyakarta said: "In any emergency children are among the most vulnerable. Many have lost their parents or homes and will be facing possible trauma. We are working hard to reach these children to ensure their needs are met."
Also alerted, Christian Aid is operating through partners YEU and YTBI (both Indonesian church organisations) and Church World Service to bring about relief. Prior to the 'quake Christian Aid had been working on long term Tsunami relief projects and construction. Both YTBI and CWS have sent staff members to co-ordinate the distribution of food and medicine while the YEU, on standby in Kemalang, Klaten, are evacuating injured children to Tegalysoso hospital. Christian Aid spokesperson, Claire Shelley, said: "We will continue to provide support, financial and emotional, both as and where they need it."
The Disasters Emergency Committee has set up a donation hotline: +44 0870 60 60 900. or visit their website: http://www.dec.org.uk/
Article from Church of England newspaper by Matt Cresswell
USA - ERD responds after earthquake
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is supplying emergency assistance to people in Indonesia devastated by a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The damaged region of Central Java is near the tourist site of Yogyakarta which is 250 miles southeast of Jakarta, the nation's capital. The quake struck at dawn on May 27, crushing homes and roads.
According to the Indonesian government, more than 5,600 people have been killed but the numbers are likely to increase as rescue and recovery efforts continue. More than 200,000 people have lost their homes and many are living in temporary shelters until rebuilding can begin. Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhhoyono, has declared a state of emergency as the amount of damage will require a long-term, multi-phase response.
ERD is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT) to provide people in affected regions with food and non-food items, such as temporary shelters, potable water, hygiene kits, mattresses, medical services and psycho-social assistance.
To make a donation to assist people affected by disasters, please donate to Emergency Relief Fund in the "Ways to Give" section online at http://www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Checks can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, designated for the "Emergency Relief Fund", P.O. Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101.
Canada - Action By Churches Together Already Responding
Response to the powerful earthquake in Central Java province is already underway, coordinated by Action By Churches Together International (ACT) -- the global emergency alliance that PWRDF works through in times of disaster. An assessment is underway that will determine if an emergency appeal will be issued to members. Following is the text from the ACT alert distributed this weekend:
Within hours of the quake, the three ACT members in Indonesia -- YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), Church World Service (CWS), and Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI) -- were responding. YTBI has sent two staff members from Jakarta to coordinate the distribution of food and medicine. CWS has sent three staff members to the affected area. A YEU team, on standby in Kemalang, Klaten, is evacuating injured children to Tegalyoso hospital in Klaten.
Natalia Caw, a staff member of YEU, reported that the number of injured people being brought to each of the four big hospitals in Yogyakarta was reaching the thousands, and that many of the patients were being treated in the hospitals' corridors and terraces. She noted a need for more medical staff and medicines as well as surgical equipment to treat wounded patients.
Two CWS staff members were in Yogyakarta when the earthquake hit as CWS has been distributing different aid items to the evacuees of the Merapi volcano in the last few weeks. On Saturday morning the CWS team distributed 500 blankets to Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta. The team did a quick assessment in one of the four districts of Bantul and reported a need for tents (around a 1,000), hygiene kits, baby kits and health kits. CWS reported late Saturday that it will try to transport tents, hygiene kits, health kits and baby kits from Medan to Solo as the Yogyakarta airport is still closed. It will also distribute 500 food packages (biscuits and noodles) and water on Sunday when other sub-districts of Bantul are visited.
YEU reported that its goal for the coming days is to assist the patients coming to Bethesda hospital through medical treatment and provision of logistics and administration. On Sunday, YEU-CD Bethesda and the CD Bethesda's People Organization will start to asses the villages in Kabupaten Bantul. The comprehensive needs assessment will be accompanied by a medical team for outreach medical services.
The head of the ACT Coordinating Office for the tsunami appeal in Medan will go to the affected area. The three ACT members in Indonesia are coordinating their responses and will indicate in the coming days what assistance, if any, they will request of the ACT alliance.
For Further information see the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund website: http://www.pwrdf.org/
___________________________ACNS 4150 | ACO | 01 JUNE 2006
Earthquake leads to massive aid effort
England - Christian Relief agencies have swung into action following last Saturday's devastating earthquake which has left almost 6,000 people dead in Indonesia. Measured at 6.3 on the Richter Scale the quake has injured 20,000 and a further 200,000 are estimated to be homeless. Concerns that nearby volcano Mount Merapi might erupt is adding to people's fears of further destruction.
Tearfund's partners working in the city of Yogyakarta, where most damage was caused, are appealing for prayer as they deal with the injured and homeless. Agustin Samosir, of Indonesian Baptist Aid reports: "Churches and youth group members in Yogyakarta are helping people who have not yet received major help. We are helping to evacuate people, prepare public kitchens, deliver meals and distribute plastic tarpaulins for shelter." Heavy rain is also hampering the relief work and many areas are struggling to see aid delivered as hospitals appear overwhelmed by the injured.
In light of Saturday's tragedy John Samuel, Programme Director for Tearfund's Tsunami response programme based in Banda Aceh, says: "People here in Indonesia are worried and fearful. This earthquake struck less than 18 months after the Tsunami." World Vision has also rushed to the scene and is currently distributing aid packages of essential items including blankets, tarpaulins, clothing and medical supplies to provide relief to children and families. So far over 7,000 aid packages have been distributed to the worst-affected Bantul district and World Vision is currently co-ordinating their response with the Indonesian government and other aid agencies.
The heavy rains have forced many to return to their damaged houses despite the threat of further building collapse. Moving people to safer shelters is now one of the man priorities. In addition to housing problems, many concerns have been raised over the protection of children. James East, of World Vision, speaking from Yogyakarta said: "In any emergency children are among the most vulnerable. Many have lost their parents or homes and will be facing possible trauma. We are working hard to reach these children to ensure their needs are met."
Also alerted, Christian Aid is operating through partners YEU and YTBI (both Indonesian church organisations) and Church World Service to bring about relief. Prior to the 'quake Christian Aid had been working on long term Tsunami relief projects and construction. Both YTBI and CWS have sent staff members to co-ordinate the distribution of food and medicine while the YEU, on standby in Kemalang, Klaten, are evacuating injured children to Tegalysoso hospital. Christian Aid spokesperson, Claire Shelley, said: "We will continue to provide support, financial and emotional, both as and where they need it."
The Disasters Emergency Committee has set up a donation hotline: +44 0870 60 60 900. or visit their website: http://www.dec.org.uk/
Article from Church of England newspaper by Matt Cresswell
USA - ERD responds after earthquake
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is supplying emergency assistance to people in Indonesia devastated by a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The damaged region of Central Java is near the tourist site of Yogyakarta which is 250 miles southeast of Jakarta, the nation's capital. The quake struck at dawn on May 27, crushing homes and roads.
According to the Indonesian government, more than 5,600 people have been killed but the numbers are likely to increase as rescue and recovery efforts continue. More than 200,000 people have lost their homes and many are living in temporary shelters until rebuilding can begin. Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhhoyono, has declared a state of emergency as the amount of damage will require a long-term, multi-phase response.
ERD is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT) to provide people in affected regions with food and non-food items, such as temporary shelters, potable water, hygiene kits, mattresses, medical services and psycho-social assistance.
To make a donation to assist people affected by disasters, please donate to Emergency Relief Fund in the "Ways to Give" section online at http://www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Checks can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, designated for the "Emergency Relief Fund", P.O. Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101.
Canada - Action By Churches Together Already Responding
Response to the powerful earthquake in Central Java province is already underway, coordinated by Action By Churches Together International (ACT) -- the global emergency alliance that PWRDF works through in times of disaster. An assessment is underway that will determine if an emergency appeal will be issued to members. Following is the text from the ACT alert distributed this weekend:
Within hours of the quake, the three ACT members in Indonesia -- YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), Church World Service (CWS), and Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI) -- were responding. YTBI has sent two staff members from Jakarta to coordinate the distribution of food and medicine. CWS has sent three staff members to the affected area. A YEU team, on standby in Kemalang, Klaten, is evacuating injured children to Tegalyoso hospital in Klaten.
Natalia Caw, a staff member of YEU, reported that the number of injured people being brought to each of the four big hospitals in Yogyakarta was reaching the thousands, and that many of the patients were being treated in the hospitals' corridors and terraces. She noted a need for more medical staff and medicines as well as surgical equipment to treat wounded patients.
Two CWS staff members were in Yogyakarta when the earthquake hit as CWS has been distributing different aid items to the evacuees of the Merapi volcano in the last few weeks. On Saturday morning the CWS team distributed 500 blankets to Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta. The team did a quick assessment in one of the four districts of Bantul and reported a need for tents (around a 1,000), hygiene kits, baby kits and health kits. CWS reported late Saturday that it will try to transport tents, hygiene kits, health kits and baby kits from Medan to Solo as the Yogyakarta airport is still closed. It will also distribute 500 food packages (biscuits and noodles) and water on Sunday when other sub-districts of Bantul are visited.
YEU reported that its goal for the coming days is to assist the patients coming to Bethesda hospital through medical treatment and provision of logistics and administration. On Sunday, YEU-CD Bethesda and the CD Bethesda's People Organization will start to asses the villages in Kabupaten Bantul. The comprehensive needs assessment will be accompanied by a medical team for outreach medical services.
The head of the ACT Coordinating Office for the tsunami appeal in Medan will go to the affected area. The three ACT members in Indonesia are coordinating their responses and will indicate in the coming days what assistance, if any, they will request of the ACT alliance.
For Further information see the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund website: http://www.pwrdf.org/
___________________________________________________________________ ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is distributed to more than 8,000 journalists and other readers around the world.
For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html ________________________________________ ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is distributed to more than 8,000 journalists and other readers around the world.
For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html
England - Christian Relief agencies have swung into action following last Saturday's devastating earthquake which has left almost 6,000 people dead in Indonesia. Measured at 6.3 on the Richter Scale the quake has injured 20,000 and a further 200,000 are estimated to be homeless. Concerns that nearby volcano Mount Merapi might erupt is adding to people's fears of further destruction.
Tearfund's partners working in the city of Yogyakarta, where most damage was caused, are appealing for prayer as they deal with the injured and homeless. Agustin Samosir, of Indonesian Baptist Aid reports: "Churches and youth group members in Yogyakarta are helping people who have not yet received major help. We are helping to evacuate people, prepare public kitchens, deliver meals and distribute plastic tarpaulins for shelter." Heavy rain is also hampering the relief work and many areas are struggling to see aid delivered as hospitals appear overwhelmed by the injured.
In light of Saturday's tragedy John Samuel, Programme Director for Tearfund's Tsunami response programme based in Banda Aceh, says: "People here in Indonesia are worried and fearful. This earthquake struck less than 18 months after the Tsunami." World Vision has also rushed to the scene and is currently distributing aid packages of essential items including blankets, tarpaulins, clothing and medical supplies to provide relief to children and families. So far over 7,000 aid packages have been distributed to the worst-affected Bantul district and World Vision is currently co-ordinating their response with the Indonesian government and other aid agencies.
The heavy rains have forced many to return to their damaged houses despite the threat of further building collapse. Moving people to safer shelters is now one of the man priorities. In addition to housing problems, many concerns have been raised over the protection of children. James East, of World Vision, speaking from Yogyakarta said: "In any emergency children are among the most vulnerable. Many have lost their parents or homes and will be facing possible trauma. We are working hard to reach these children to ensure their needs are met."
Also alerted, Christian Aid is operating through partners YEU and YTBI (both Indonesian church organisations) and Church World Service to bring about relief. Prior to the 'quake Christian Aid had been working on long term Tsunami relief projects and construction. Both YTBI and CWS have sent staff members to co-ordinate the distribution of food and medicine while the YEU, on standby in Kemalang, Klaten, are evacuating injured children to Tegalysoso hospital. Christian Aid spokesperson, Claire Shelley, said: "We will continue to provide support, financial and emotional, both as and where they need it."
The Disasters Emergency Committee has set up a donation hotline: +44 0870 60 60 900. or visit their website: http://www.dec.org.uk/
Article from Church of England newspaper by Matt Cresswell
USA - ERD responds after earthquake
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is supplying emergency assistance to people in Indonesia devastated by a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The damaged region of Central Java is near the tourist site of Yogyakarta which is 250 miles southeast of Jakarta, the nation's capital. The quake struck at dawn on May 27, crushing homes and roads.
According to the Indonesian government, more than 5,600 people have been killed but the numbers are likely to increase as rescue and recovery efforts continue. More than 200,000 people have lost their homes and many are living in temporary shelters until rebuilding can begin. Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhhoyono, has declared a state of emergency as the amount of damage will require a long-term, multi-phase response.
ERD is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT) to provide people in affected regions with food and non-food items, such as temporary shelters, potable water, hygiene kits, mattresses, medical services and psycho-social assistance.
To make a donation to assist people affected by disasters, please donate to Emergency Relief Fund in the "Ways to Give" section online at http://www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Checks can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, designated for the "Emergency Relief Fund", P.O. Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101.
Canada - Action By Churches Together Already Responding
Response to the powerful earthquake in Central Java province is already underway, coordinated by Action By Churches Together International (ACT) -- the global emergency alliance that PWRDF works through in times of disaster. An assessment is underway that will determine if an emergency appeal will be issued to members. Following is the text from the ACT alert distributed this weekend:
Within hours of the quake, the three ACT members in Indonesia -- YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), Church World Service (CWS), and Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI) -- were responding. YTBI has sent two staff members from Jakarta to coordinate the distribution of food and medicine. CWS has sent three staff members to the affected area. A YEU team, on standby in Kemalang, Klaten, is evacuating injured children to Tegalyoso hospital in Klaten.
Natalia Caw, a staff member of YEU, reported that the number of injured people being brought to each of the four big hospitals in Yogyakarta was reaching the thousands, and that many of the patients were being treated in the hospitals' corridors and terraces. She noted a need for more medical staff and medicines as well as surgical equipment to treat wounded patients.
Two CWS staff members were in Yogyakarta when the earthquake hit as CWS has been distributing different aid items to the evacuees of the Merapi volcano in the last few weeks. On Saturday morning the CWS team distributed 500 blankets to Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta. The team did a quick assessment in one of the four districts of Bantul and reported a need for tents (around a 1,000), hygiene kits, baby kits and health kits. CWS reported late Saturday that it will try to transport tents, hygiene kits, health kits and baby kits from Medan to Solo as the Yogyakarta airport is still closed. It will also distribute 500 food packages (biscuits and noodles) and water on Sunday when other sub-districts of Bantul are visited.
YEU reported that its goal for the coming days is to assist the patients coming to Bethesda hospital through medical treatment and provision of logistics and administration. On Sunday, YEU-CD Bethesda and the CD Bethesda's People Organization will start to asses the villages in Kabupaten Bantul. The comprehensive needs assessment will be accompanied by a medical team for outreach medical services.
The head of the ACT Coordinating Office for the tsunami appeal in Medan will go to the affected area. The three ACT members in Indonesia are coordinating their responses and will indicate in the coming days what assistance, if any, they will request of the ACT alliance.
For Further information see the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund website: http://www.pwrdf.org/
___________________________________________________________________ ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is distributed to more than 8,000 journalists and other readers around the world.
For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html