Christian World Service has launched an emergency appeal for Indonesia following two catastrophic events. A 3 metre tsunami struck West Sumatra on 25 October following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on the same faultline that caused the disastrous 2004 Indian ocean tsunami.
ACT Alliance members report that the tsunami hit six villages on the Mentawai islands which are proving hard to reach because of strong winds and rough seas. They have dispatched baby kits and assessing local needs for further relief. Mount Merapi, 30 km away from Yogyakarta erupted three times on 26 October, sending volcanic ash up to 1.5 km high. Some 28 people have been reported killed and the authorities are evacuating 19,000 people in the region who will need basic supplies.
ACT Alliance partners are tending to burn victims in a local hospital they run and are providing emergency food, water and shelter in the Hargobinangun village where the largest evacuation camp is situated. More information is available on the CWS website: www.cws.org.nz. Donations to provide much needed food, water and shelter can be sent to PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8142 or 800 74 73 72 or on line at: www.cws.org.nz