ADRA Provides Shelter, Medical Aid in Indonesia
14th October 2009
Wahroonga, New South Wales — The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) continues to provide immediate relief activities in Indonesia, including emergency shelter and a mobile medical clinic, following two major earthquakes that devastated the region two weeks ago.
ADRA Indonesia has established a response office in Padang, which experienced the devastating effects of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake, and is working with local authorities and other agencies to assess community needs and provide appropriate support. ADRA is also providing emergency shelter, sleeping bags and torches, and is sending a mobile medical clinic, which consists of one physician and four nurses, into affected communities. Several ADRA staff from the region are supporting the Padang response efforts, including ADRA Australia’s Emergency Management Officer, Ashleigh Finlay
“There is an eerie feeling here in Padang. The city is back up and running, but about every third building has been completely destroyed. It’s heartbreaking to see what these people have been through, and they need a lot of support,” Ms. Finlay said. “When I first arrived, I went out with our mobile medical clinic to a village that had not yet received medical attention since the quake. The team managed to treat 110 patients – mainly elderly and little children. As we visit communities, we also assess their other needs and work with local partners to make sure they receive the right support. It will take time for these people to recover from such a horrific ordeal.”
In addition to these activities, ADRA will distribute household kits, which will include bed mats, blankets, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, and cooking pots and utensils, to 1,000 affected families in the Patamuan sub-district, where 95 percent of the homes were destroyed.
To provide relief activities, ADRA Indonesia is partnering with other ADRA offices, government authorities, other non-government organisations (NGOs) and local groups, including the West Indonesia Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
To support the response effort, ADRA Australia is calling for donations to its Asia Disasters Appeal, which was opened following the Indonesian earthquakes and also the devastation of Cyclone Ketsana as it travelled across several south-east Asian countries. Donations can be made to ADRA Australia by calling 1800 242 372 or visiting ADRA Australia's website. Donations to ADRA Australia’s Asia Disaster Appeal will be used to support the immediate disaster relief and recovery activities in the area. If the appeal raises more funds than are immediately needed, donations will be allocated to ADRA Australia’s ongoing emergency management activities.
ADRA Australia is a non-government organisation (NGO) engaging in development projects and emergency management activities for people in Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Africa. It is fully accredited with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and is signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. The ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries. For more information about ADRA Australia, and to sign-up for free email updates visit ADRA Australia's website.Download a Printable PDF Version
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