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United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - ReliefWeb/courtesy www.alertnet.org
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Response to Indonesia Earthquake of September, 2007
Overview
An 8.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of southern Sumatra in Indonesia on September 12, 2007. As the strongest quake of this year thus far, it has triggered more than 20 aftershocks ranging in intensity from 4.9 to 7.8 on the Richter scale. Hundreds of buildings—including schools, factories and a mall—and homes have collapsed, primarily around the cities of Padang and Bengkulu in western Sumatra. Electricity and communications were also cut off in some areas.
(Last updated: September 13, 2007)
The American Red Cross Response
The American Red Cross is supporting a 30-person team from the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia – PMI) who will assist with recovery efforts in the earthquake affected areas. In addition, the regional lead for this disaster operation, is an American Red Cross disaster management specialist working with the International Federation's Asia Pacific Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur. The American Red Cross also has staff in nearby Banda Aceh, conducting ongoing recovery activities following the 2004 tsunami.
If additional assistance is requested, the American Red Cross is prepared to mobilize relief supplies, delegates and/or financial assistance. The American Red Cross has pre-positioned supplies in Kuala Lumpur, in one of three regional warehouses around the world. Relief supplies—such as tarps, kitchen sets, blankets, buckets and insecticide-treated mosquito nets—are available, if needed.
International Red Cross Response
The Indonesian Red Cross (known as PMI) has staff and volunteers on the ground in Bengkulu and Palang, and immediately began to assist with evacuations and preliminary damage assessments. PMI has established four emergency health posts and mobilized three ambulances. PMI headquarters, based in Jakarta, is helping coordinate the shipment of relief supplies to the area. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is also coordinating with PMI to provide relief support.
How to Get Help
If are in need of emergency shelter, water or food, please contact your local American Red Cross chapter for assistance.
Finding Missing Loved Ones
International Disaster Welfare Inquiries (IDWIs) are not being accepted at this time.The affected national Red Cross societies are fully engaged in relief activities and have not yet indicated their capacity to accept these inquiries. The American Red Cross will provide updates as they become available.
If you are trying to find loved ones living in or around the affected area who are citizens of Indonesia, keep calling or to try contacting other friends/family members who live nearby.
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens who were living in or visiting a disaster-impacted area may be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
For inquiries regarding U.S. citizen abroad, call Office of Overseas Citizens Services
at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225
How to Support the Relief Efforts
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Donate to the International Response Fund |
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year 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.
To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make a secure, online donation. |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation |
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster, please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. |
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Become A Volunteer |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter regarding local opportunities to help at home, or visit VolunteerMatch to become a Red Cross volunteer. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas. |
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Find your local Red Cross chapter |
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Visit VolunteerMatch.org |
Promote the Red Cross |
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Support the American Red Cross by hosting an online advertisement/public service banner on your Web site encouraging others to make a financial donation. |
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Sign up to host an online advertisement/public service banner |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts. For these reasons, the Red Cross is not able to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.
If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Inquiries Media or Public
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
Medial Requests ONLY |
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NATIONAL Requests: Call Disaster Public Affairs at 202-303-5551 |
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LOCAL Requests: Find and contact the closest Red Cross Chapter |
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Public requests, including private citizen, business, or student: |
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Visit the Contact Us page. |
Additional Resources
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