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Stamford, Conn. – August 7, 2018 – Americares is responding to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Lombok Sunday evening, toppling buildings, destroying roads and sending powerful aftershocks throughout the island. Indonesian officials are reporting more than 100 people have died, and more than 200 are injured. As many as 20,000 people are currently displaced and thousands more crowd outdoor areas as aftershocks continue throughout the region.
“Medical care is often one of the most urgent needs following a disaster of this magnitude,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Our emergency response experts are headed to the impact zone ready to help families affected by the devastating earthquake.”
Americares is deploying emergency response experts from the United States and Jakarta to assess survivors’ health needs and coordinate with partner organizations responding to the crisis. The health-focused relief and development organization stocks emergency medicine and relief supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis.
This was the second deadly earthquake to hit Lombok in a little over a week. The first earthquake killed 20 and displaced more than 10,000 survivors. Located in the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” a chain of volcanoes and fault lines, Indonesia is particularly prone to seismic activity. In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra prompted a tsunami and led to more than 230,000 deaths.
Americares responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities. In the aftermath of the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami, Americares completed a $50 million aid program that rebuilt schools, hospitals, water systems and livelihoods for survivors in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. In all, the organization built or renovated more than 40 health care facilities across Southeast Asia.
Donations to Americares Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its earthquake response in Indonesia. To donate, go to americares.org/worldwide