Shaila Kibria

Current Situation:

 

At least 528 people are dead and 2,000 badly injured (Indonesian National News figures), with Padang city (226 dead) and Padang Parianman District (75 dead) being the worst affected. 80 peoples still are trapped under rubble in one hotel in Padang city. International news stations including the BBC and IRIN are reporting much higher casualty figures (over 1,000) and the situation may change rapidly as more information becomes available.

 

The epicentre of the 7.6-magnitude quake was about 50km (30 miles) off the coast of the Indonesian island, near the city of Padang. The earthquake struck at 17:16 local time (10:16 GMT) some 85km under the sea, north-west of Padang, causing a small Tsunami. A second Earthquake then struck at 17:38 local time measuring 6.2 magnitude. A tsunami watch issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in the wake of the Indonesian quake has been lifted.

 

There are reports of widespread destruction to buildings, roads and bridges, caused by the earthquakes and several subsequent landslides; several building has collapsed and fires have been reported around Padang city, including one which caused severe damage to the local market. Telecommunications and power lines are damaged disrupting communication networks, phone lines and electricity.

 

According to reports in the affected area a hospital in Padang City, the University of Andalas, and hundreds of houses are reportedly damaged, Hundreds of residents are apparently still trapped in multi story building.

 

A large number of building have collapsed or are severely damaged. These include; The Department of Marine Fisheries of West Sumatra Province (collapsed), Office of Financial Management Regions West Sumatera Province (collapsed), Bappeda West Sumatra Province (heavily damaged), a Mosque (heavily damaged) and a large numbers of hotels, shops and residential buildings.

 

Heavy rain is still pouring at Padang City and Padang Pariaman District causing disruption to the rescue effort and stones and mud to slide down the hills onto roads and houses.

 

Current Needs:

·         Food and potable water will be required by the IDPs and survivors in Padang, Padang Pariaman, Mentawai, Pariaman District at least for 2 months period. 

·         It is predicted that 100,000 plastic sheeting will be required for temporary shelter, and tents where possible would be preferable.

·         Clothing: shirts in immediate need for children, blanket for the IDPs.

·         Some medical treatment for injuries. 

·         Temporary latrines in IDPs sites and water for sanitation purposes.

 

Current Response:

·         The response is being coordinated on the ground by the BNPB (National Board of Disaster Management) supported by 7 Ministries.  It is still not clear whether UN-OCHA will activate cluster approach or not.

·         UN-OCHA and UNICEF have sent one team to do assessment and provide relief items.  

·         The Pusdalops Building Disaster (Crisis Center) West Sumatra Province  is undertaking response efforts despite sever damage to their buildings.

·         Padang Emergency field hospital is being established using tents.

·         Heavy equipment has also been lowered to evacuate victims buried in building rubble.

 

Islamic Relief’s Current Intervention:

·         A team is being sent by road, and will arrive in Padang tomorrow (2^nd October)

·         IR is currently preparing for interventions and has the following stocks available:

o   150 tents,

o   One water purifier machine that can produce water 5,000 litre per hour.

o   Two generators.

o   2,100 additional tents are available in Dubai should they be required

o   7 vehicles and 30 motorbikes

o   Warehousing space through government allocation or private sector.

o   88 staff, including expertise in shelter, watsan, Nutrition, emergency relief distribution. 

·         IR also is in constant contact with UN-OCHA, UNICEF, Oxfam, and members of WASH Cluster.

·         In 2008/2009 IRI undertook a watsan intervention in Padang Pariaman District and has drilled 22 wells and trained some local communities in water supply system. Thus giving us a good understanding of the communities in the area and their needs.

 

Future Plans:

Islamic Relief plans to support 2,000 households in the current days with an initial allocation of 50,000 GPB from IRUK.

 

The intervention for emergency response will most likely be in the form of transporting existing stocks of tents in for temporary shelter, operating water purifier to provide water, operating generator to activate existing IR drilled wells. 

 

Islamic Relief is planning on submitting proposals to the DEC and UNOCHA in the following days. The DEC will make a decision by the end of the day whether an appeal will be launched. However, if this goes ahead it will most likely be a ‘South Asia Appeal’ responding to crisis’s in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

 

None Food Items:

 

Based on our lesson learnt from Jogjakarta Earthquake Response and Indonesia custom regulation, please be aware with following restricted and prohibited items:

1.       Used items (garment, furniture)

2.       Food items

3.       Medicine

4.       Animal and plantation

5.       Vehicle and heavy equipment, due to custom restriction for imported vehicles