After days of bad weathers and limited transportation, medical team managed to arrive in Sikakap, Mentawai on November 3 to provide assistance. Mentawai present a different challenge in disaster relief as there are no roads to reach severely affected villages along the west coasts. There are also only a few piers that allow ships to anchor, if the tides slowed down to allow sailing. As of National Disaster Management Agency's report at 07.00am on November 3, 2010, the casualties are 428 deaths, 74 persons missing, 498 injured, and 15,097 displaced; 20% of the populations. Medical team treated some people in Sikakap, and travel today to remote hamlets in South Pagai Island to assess the situation and provide assistance needed in supporting the local government and communities.
A concern is on the psychosocial issues in Mentawai Islands. National Disaster Management Agency and NGOs are supporting basic needs such as food and shelter. However, very little information has been gathered on the issue of psychosocial condition of the victims. Medias and some NGOs reported that 'communities are seriously traumatized' as well as 'symptoms and evidences of post-trauma stress disorder' among children and adults. The team is assessing this need to consider on delivering psychosocial intervention in enabling community volunteers and stronger survivors to assist their neighbors and families in such difficult time.
Merapi Vocano eruption ----
Meanwhile, the Merapi volcano in Jogjakarta erupted again around midnight on November 4, 2010. Residents in Wonosobo as far as 100 kilometers away reported experiencing tremors from the volcano eruption. 54 had been found dead while 61 are being treated for burnt injuries. The casualties are feared to rise significantly as search and rescue teams are helping on the ground. The volcano erupted 10 days ago, causing 37 deaths. So far, over 100,000 people have been displaced to stay away from the 20km danger zone. Ashes and rocks showered the city of Jogjakarta where some reported 2 to 4 inches high as streets are dusty. Flights are canceled as Jogjakarta airport is closed for today. HOPE worldwide volunteers in Jogjakarta are distributing water, food, clothes, and masks for victims.
West Papua Flash Flood ----
In Manokwari, West Papua, over 4000 displaced victims of Wasior Oct 4 Flash Flood continue struggle to get by in tents after a month since the disasters. Uncertainty is still in the air as the relief period has been extended until Nov 16, 2010. HOPE worldwide team is supporting the victims with psychosocial activities for children and distributing food containers to keep the hygiene and preventing disease outbreak among the victims.
These multiple disasters are keeping the country busy as well as the alert status of up to 20 other volcanoes across the country. Krakatoa and Semeru volcanoes are actives again spewing ashes and clouds in recent days. Communities in Indonesia continue to experience the heat of the Ring of Fire.
HOPE worldwide has been actively responding to disasters; not only in reliefs and recoveries, but also in preparedness and risk reduction. Teachers and students have been and currently trained and equipped with modules that we developed in preparing for disasters. The goal is to prevent the casualties in disasters. There are many ways that you can be involved in, such as volunteering, supporting disaster risk reduction trainings, as well as fundraising in supporting the disaster response programs. Prayers are also needed for the victims of disasters to be helped/strengthened as well as for no more disasters.
For further information or inquiry, please contact:
HOPE worldwide
353 W. Lancaster Avenue, Suite 200, Wayne, PA, 19087
Telp: 1-610-254-8800, fax: 1-610-254-8989 www.hopeww.org
Marcia Scaggs - marcia_scaggs@hopeww.org (USA)
Charles Ham - charles_ham@hopeww.org or cellphone: +628161834574 (Indonesia)