Indonesia tsunami: "More than 190,000 people need assistance"

A powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami struck the centre of the Indonesian region of Sulawesi on 28th September, killing more than 1,400 people and injuring more than 2,500. Humanity & Inclusion, which has sent a support team of experts to Indonesia, is coordinating its response with local organisations.

Indonesian men search for a family member at their damaged house in the Balaroa village in Palu, on October 1st, 2018, after an earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia on September 28th. | © AFP PHOTO/ADEK BERRY

Humanity & Inclusion has just sent several emergency experts to Indonesia, to provide support to the survivors in need of immediate assistance following the earthquake and tsunami that shook the island on 28th September. Many hospitals have been damaged and more than 2,500 people have been injured.

As the situation begins to stabilise and access to the worst affected areas becomes possible, the number of victims continues to rise.

"We have sent a sizeable team of emergency experts to help," says Fanny Mraz, director of HI's emergency teams.

“When patients are arriving in hospitals in large numbers, HI's expertise is to provide emergency rehabilitation to prevent irreversible damage, including the onset of permanent disabilities."

"We also make sure that the patients receive psychological support, because this type of situation can be traumatising”.

"We are not working alone: two members of our local partner organisations are travelling to the Palu region to assess needs," she continues.

"To provide the best possible assistance to victims, it is important to work with local medical teams, already present in hospitals, in order to treat the many casualties."

HI in Indonesia

HI has worked in Indonesia since 2005, where it regularly provides support to victims of natural disasters. Its members organise disaster prevention workshops and workshops to improve community resilience.

Date published: 04/10/18