Indonesia: Earthquake Situation Report No. 8

This report was issued by OCHA New York, with inputs from OCHA Indonesia. It covers the period from 6 October 2009 to 7 October 2009. The next report will be issued on or around 8 October 2009.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- On 30 September, a powerful earthquake struck West Sumatra

- The numbers of deaths is recorded at 704

- More than 102,000 houses are severely damaged

- Delivery and distribution of relief is difficult in landslide-affected areas

- The reconstruction and rehabilitation phase will commence on 1 November 2009

II. Situation Overview

As of 7 October, the Provincial Disaster Management Unit of West Sumatra (West Sumatra Satkorlak) confirmed 704 deaths, 295 people missing and 2,090 people injured. The provincial government also reported 102,046 houses as severely damaged, 49,864 houses as moderately damaged and 54,606 houses as slightly damaged.

Landslides have hindered relief efforts in some areas. The West Sumatra Satkorlak reported at least 1,000 landslide spots in Gunung Tigo highlands, located between Padang Pariaman and Agam districts. Six helicopters carrying food and medical supplies were dispatched to the highlands as landslides blocked roads.

Four excavators were deployed to Patamuan in the Padang Pariaman district to help excavate bodies buried under the rubble and mud. The local government will allow one more day to remove bodies before buildings are demolished. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) received the Government's endorsement to coordinate all rubble-clearing activities.

The government of West Sumatra has confirmed that the emergency phase will last for one month, rather than the initially declared two months. The Humanitarian Response Plan in support of the Government will last for 90 days. The reconstruction and rehabilitation stage will take place from 1 November 2009 to March 2010.

According to the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, there is no shortage of aid supplies. However, distribution is the biggest challenge, particularly in the coastal hinterland where landslides buried three villages and destroyed roads and communications. The Government has issued storm warnings for remote areas over the next few days. This weather is hampering distribution efforts and triggering concerns for more landslides. Most of the affected areas have re-established communication; some new communication and internet centres were established in Pariaman and Agam.

According to the head of the Ministry of Health Crisis Centre, health workers doused areas of Padang with disinfectant to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Fogging is also taking place to reduce mosquito-borne diseases. There are no reports of a rise in communicable diseases.