Survivors climbing over the debris of a collapsed building.
Photo: Reuters/Muhammad Fitrah/Singgalang, courtesy www.alertnet.org

1 October 2009: Plan has launched an appeal for US$500,000 to support thousands of people affected by the devastating earthquake on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Please donate to the appeal today.

Plan will be distributing non-food items and hygiene kits through local partners in the city. The kits will include blankets, soaps, mosquito nets, plastic mats and buckets. Plan does not currently operate programmes itself in the affected earthquake area.

Emergency support

Plan’s director of disasters and humanitarian response, Roger Yates, said: “Our priority right now is to meet the needs of the many children and their families affected by the 2 earthquakes. Plan is especially concerned for the safety of children who have been displaced from their homes.

“Plan staff have learnt many lessons from previous disasters such as the Niaz earthquake and the Boxing Day tsunami. We are now putting these valuable lessons into practice by quickly sending initial support while co-ordinating with other organisations to collect the detailed information needed for a full response.”

Hundreds killed

At least 770 people are believed to have died after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the coastal city of Padang and surrounding areas of Sumatra on Wednesday. But officials say this figure is expected to rise as more people are pulled from the rubble of collapsed buildings. 

A massive rescue operation is under way after the earthquake, thought to be one of the biggest to hit Indonesia in recent years, devastated the area. The roof of the city’s airport was brought down, as well as hotels, schools and houses. Power lines were cut and there were reports of landslides.
 
The earthquake was so strong that people reported that shaking could be felt in high buildings in the capital, Jakarta, and in Singapore and Malaysia.

There was further panic after another earthquake struck close to Padang early this morning, but there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.