Double Disaster On September 28, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia and then generated a deadly tsunami on the island of Sulawesi. The earthquake toppled buildings and destroyed roads while a towering 20-foot wave washed over coastal communities, killing more than 2,000 people and forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. More than 70,000 homes may have been wrecked by the quake, tsunami and in mudslides that followed. The death toll, mostly from the city of Palu, continues to rise as hundreds remain missing in the hardest-hit areas. An estimated 1.5 million people have been affected by the double disaster, according to the Indonesian disaster management agency. The government requested international aid to help survivors access food, water, medical supplies and other necessities. The tragedy is the latest natural disaster to hit Indonesia, which is frequently struck by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because of its location on the “Ring of Fire.”
Our Response As the death toll continued to rise, Americares coordinated with government officials and local aid organizations to meet the health and mental health needs of survivors. Thousands of injured or vulnerable residents have been medically evacuated from Palu and surrounding areas for medical treatment in other parts of Indonesia. Americares has deployed emergency response experts from the United States and Jakarta to assess survivors’ health needs in Sulawesi in conjunction with the Sulawesi Ministry of Health. Americares has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to equip reproductive health field clinics. To date, 15 Reproductive Health tents and 10 Women Friendly Spaces have been installed and outfitted with Americares equipment and supplies. Americares has provided Mental Health and Psychosocial Support training for 104 midwives in conjunction with the establishment of the clinics. Field clinics are providing essential primary and reproductive health services to affected communities.The assessment of health needs continues and efforts are underway to provide other assistance.