Teams are delivering help across the Indonesian island following a second destructive earthquake within a week.
Indonesian Red Cross is responding after a destructive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Lombok, Indonesia on Sunday 5 August.
Because the earthquake damaged communications and other infrastructure, including electricity, roads and bridges, a full picture of people’s needs is still emerging.
The latest information has identified close to 100 people have been killed, and more than 200 injured mainly due to the collapse of buildings.
Some houses had already been partially damaged due to another earthquake which occurred in the same location, 29 July.
Hundreds of people have been treated for injuries including some of our Indonesian Red Cross volunteers in Lombok. Many have been treated in the open air to avoid the risk of further injury with buildings in danger of collapsing due to aftershocks.
Many in the affected villages are fearful about returning to their homes, as a result of two large earthquakes having struck the area in less than a week and ongoing aftershocks. Many people have been sleeping in the open outside their homes or on roadsides.
The immediate focus has been on searching amid the rubble and rescuing survivors as well as meeting the immediate/basic needs of people affected by the earthquake.
Around 250 Indonesia Red Cross staff and volunteers have been quick to respond. Teams have been evacuating affected people from coastal areas, to avoid a possible tsunami and help survivors cope with threats from the potential collapse of damaged houses with ongoing tremors and aftershocks on the island.
Red Cross teams are also providing first aid, supporting the transport of injured survivors to hospitals so that they can get further treatment, as well as distributing relief items such as tarpaulins, blankets and hygiene kits. Volunteers are also providing personal support to prevent panic and reduce the emotional trauma caused by the quake, including loss of loved ones.
Australian Red Cross stands ready to support Indonesian Red Cross with aid workers and technical assistance as needed.
An appeal has not been launched at this stage. If you would like to support the ongoing work of Red Cross you can make a donation here.