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Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement Responds in Indonesia
Written by
Leigh-Anne Dennison
, Managing Editor, RedCross.org
Sunday, May 28, 2006 — Partners in the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement (Movement) are immediately responding to the needs of people in Indonesia who have been dealt another devastating blow by Mother Nature.
Less than 18 months after an earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean triggered a devastating tsunami in the region, residents of Indonesia were jarred awake early in the morning on Saturday, May 27, 2006, by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the City of Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java.
“The quake struck in a highly-populated area, so along with the thousands who lost their lives, possibly hundred of thousands more were displaced from their homes and will need water, food, shelter and medical care in the coming crucial days,” said Bonnie Gillespie, Press Officer for the American Red Cross, who has been living and working in Indonesia as part of the organization’s Tsunami Recovery Program since autumn 2005.
Early estimates have put the death toll at more than 3,200, with the number continuing to climb, and at least 200,000 residents displaced. The quake caused severe damage to buildings in surrounding areas, including the towns of Klaten, Kulon and Bantul, with reports indicating that as much as 70 to 80 percent of homes and buildings in Bantul may have been damaged or destroyed.
Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI)—the Indonesian national Red Cross society—had mobilized additional resources to the region ahead of the earthquake due to heightened activity by Mount Merapi, a volcano just 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the earthquake’s epicenter. With resources readied to cope with a potential eruption that might necessitate an evacuation of the area, PMI was able to respond immediately following the earthquake.
“More than 400 PMI volunteers are in Yogyakarta now helping bring relief to those affected by the quake,” said Gillespie. “Having PMI teams already on site when the disaster occurred, enabled them to respond immediately with water, shelter and medical care for those in need.”
Five PMI medical teams, supported by additional personnel from the Singapore Red Cross, and 20 trained psychosocial volunteers are on site. One field hospital arrived overnight, and five more medical teams are en route. Local Red Cross workers are distributing food, bottled water, tents, tarpaulins and baby (care) kits to the affected population.
The American Red Cross, which has been in Indonesia since shortly after the tsunami struck in December 2004, has disaster management and psychosocial support teams in country and available if assistance is requested. Logistical support from the organization also has been extended to PMI.
“The American Red Cross is actively supporting our partners at the Indonesian Red Cross in their courageous relief efforts following the earthquake,” said Gillespie. “We have contributed $219,000 to the PMI's relief efforts and one of our delegates is participating in an assessment of the region with other Movement partners.”
The response of Movement partners from among the global network of more than 180 national Red Cross/Red Crescent societies is being coordinated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation). In addition, the Federation yesterday issued an emergency appeal requesting $10.4 million [USD] in funds to support Red Cross operations and the hundreds of thousands impacted by the disaster.
American Red Cross spokesperson Carol L. Miller, re-affirmed that the American Red Cross honors the intent of its donor. Money that was donated to the American Red Cross specifically to assist with the tsunami relief and recovery efforts is restricted for supporting those efforts, explained Miller, and will not be used for this operation.
“While American Red Cross personnel in country as part of the Tsunami Recovery Program can help with the initial quake response, funding for that program will not be used for this response,” said Miller. “We take very seriously our charge and the public trust to use the money they have contributed for its intended purpose.”
Miller, with the American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C., indicated that people interested in supporting the international crisis relief efforts of the American Red Cross could contribute to the International Response Fund.
“Financial support of the International Response Fund is critical because it enables us to provide immediate relief and ongoing recovery support to people affected by disasters and crises around the world whenever the help is needed,” she explained.
Although it is not believed that the increased activity of Mount Merapi in recent weeks lead to the earthquake, the seismic activity could yet trigger increased volcanic reactions, according to experts including Bambang Dwiyanto, head of the geological department at Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Ministry, and Clive Oppenheimer, of the University of Cambridge's Volcanology Group. As relief efforts continue and more aftershocks—as with any earthquake—remain a possibility, relief workers will keep an alert, watchful eye turned towards the Mount Merapi for heightened activity.
“The situation in Indonesia remains fluid—ever changing at this point,” said Miller. “I am sure that we do not yet have a complete picture of the destruction or scope of the loss.”
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the Myanmar Cyclone and China Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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