In earthquake's wake
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Responding to a devastating earthquake in Indonesia — the second major disaster in the area in only a few months — the Church is working with the country's Ministry of Health to provide needed medical equipment.
Food has also been purchased, transported and is being distributed in cooperation with the Catholic and Protestant churches whose members were most seriously impacted by the disaster, said Elder Thomas Palmer, Welfare Services country director in Indonesia.
The eighth biggest earthquake on record hit the coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on March 28, killing more than 500 people and causing countless injuries. No members or missionaries were killed or injured in the earthquake.
The disaster followed a magnitude 9 earthquake Dec. 26, which triggered waves that devastated coastlines across the Indian Ocean, leaving more than 220,000 people dead or missing in a dozen nations. It was the worst natural disaster in at least a quarter of a century. The catastrophe led to the biggest aid effort in world history; with the generous donations of Church members, the Church will help in rebuilding destroyed areas.
The latest earthquake primarily affected two islands: Nias and Simeulue. Elder Palmer returned April 11 from the United Nations coordinating meeting on the Nias relief effort.
Elder Palmer said government and NGO assistance has been provided in the area to help meet immediate needs: food, water, shelter and medical care. Still, he said, there have been many challenges: accessing the island due to damage of airport and harbors; medical care due to damage to hospital facilities; and finding the people due to their retreat to the mountains to avoid a possible tsunami and additional quakes.
Garry Flake, Church director of Emergency Response, said the Church is working with the Indonesia Ministry of Health to provide medical instruments and equipment that would help the victims of the Nias earthquake — the most serious injuries require orthopedic surgery.
"Great appreciation was expressed by high-level officials in the ministry of health that the Church is there and responded so quickly," he said.
E-mail to: sarah@desnews.com
