Westport, Conn. (March 16, 2007) - Following the deadly March 6 earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra - the same island that suffered the highest number of fatalities in the December 2004 tsunami - Save the Children is working to ensure that children's education is not disrupted and that affected communities have they tools they need to rebuild their lives.
The agency, which has been working in Sumatra for more than 30 years and which continues to assist thousands of children and families affected by the tsunami, has partnered with Mercy Corps and CARE to assist children and families in the Solok District, where the quake wrought the greatest damage.
"With our partners, Save the Children is focusing on providing school supplies and tents as well as clean-up kits for affected communities," said Rudy Von Bernuth, who heads Save the Children's emergency response efforts worldwide. "Education provides structure for children affected by a crisis and is critical to their return to normalcy. We will help set up and equip temporary schools while the community goes about repairing or rebuilding permanent buildings."
To date, the joint distribution teams have provided 30 tents to eight schools in Koto Singkarak and Junjung Sirih sub-districts. Throughout the week, the team will distribute 4,079 school kits-which include notebooks, pencils, pens and other items-for children in 27 schools.
Families also are receiving assistance. The partner agencies have distributed 400 clean-up tool kits and have begun to deliver 500 household kits, which contain blankets, a mosquito net, a flashlight and battery, and a plastic mat. Water distributions are planned with a local partner.
The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at mid-morning Indonesian time and was followed by a 6-magnitude aftershock. According to the government, more than 34,000 homes were damaged, one-third of them severely. More than 700 schools have structural damage.
Indonesia is located on the seismically volatile "Pacific Ring of Fire." In addition to the 2004 Tsunami, the nation has experienced frequent earthquakes and severe flooding in the last few years.
You can help Save the Children respond to emergencies like these that put at great risk the survival, protection, and well-being of significant numbers of children. By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you help us to respond immediately to children and families who urgently need our assistance when disasters strike.