Salvation Army continues to respond after Indonesian quake
Salvation Army continues to respond after Indonesian quake
2 September 2018
The Salvation Army in Lombok, Indonesia, is continuing to assist those impacted by last month's earthquake, with material, medical and emotional support.
The Salvation Army has been focusing on assisting families and individuals in seven villages throughout Lombok following the damaging earthquake that struck the island on 29 July.
Recovery, medical and support work is being focused on this area following detailed assessments of needs and complex logistics planning.
The earthquake caused extensive damage on Lombok.
The Indonesian National Disaster Agency (NDA) reports that the quakes, and subsequent tremors, have caused 555 fatalities, with nearly 1500 people injured and 390,000 displaced from their homes.
After initial attempts to prioritise a response in Gangga Village, transport difficulties and the fact that other agencies already targeted this village led to a joint decision with the NDA to focus on five other communities in West Lombok and two in East Lombok.
In the first six days of the response, medical support was provided to almost 900 people.
Common medical complaints received and treated include dermatitis, upper respiratory tract infection, cephalalgia (head and/or neck pain), diarrhoea, dehydration, pain in the eyes and injuries caused by falling debris.
To compound matters, the prevailing weather is very hot and dry, and there is a shortage of clean drinking water.
The Salvation Army’s team of doctors, nurses and medically trained officers are being rotated to avoid unnecessary fatigue, with maximum stays limited to 7-10 days. Relief teams are being scheduled to provide support until at least mid-October.
Meanwhile, emergency food packages are being distributed across the seven villages. These include staples such as rice and noodles, along with drinking water and nutrition for children and babies. The parcels are distributed initially to hamlet chiefs to use within their community.
There are still thousands of displaced people on the island.
Other agencies have also provided and supported food distribution to ensure resources are shared fairly and effectively.
A van containing a supply of blankets and other essential items has departed The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters in Bandung, and is expected to arrive in Lombok shortly after an arduous two to three-day drive and boat journey.
Further teams of Salvation Army officers and volunteers will be travelling to the island early next week, in order to provide trauma support and to work with children who have been affected by the disaster.
Corps across Indonesia are planning to hold special collections on Sunday in support of The Salvation Army’s relief efforts, and there has been a generous response from the Indonesian public.
Donors elsewhere wishing to support the relief efforts are encouraged to give to The Salvation Army’s South Pacific and East Asia Disaster Fund securely online.
Report from information provided by Kevin Sandford, Indonesia Territory.
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