West Sumatra Earthquakes - Save the Children 2009

October 8 2009 - A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Indonesia on September 30 45 km west-northwest of Padang Sumatra. A second earthquake of magnitude 6.8 followed on October 1st. The quakes triggered landslides reportedly destroying at least four villages across the western coast of the island leaving over 700 people displaced and over 2 000 injured. There has been extensive damage to homes and buildings with current reports indicating over 179 000 houses destroyed in the city of Padang and surrounding villages severely affected. The priority emergency needs of those affected include access to safe water and sanitation facilities as well as essential household and hygiene relief items. With CIDA support Save the Children is providing emergency humanitarian assistance to children and their families in earthquake affected areas of West Sumatra particularly in the northern districts of Padang Pariaman and Agam. Activities focus on providing essential household and hygiene relief packages to those affected to complement the food items distributed by the local government and other non-governmental organizations. Relief packages include items such as mosquito nets cooking utensils soap tarpaulins and mats. The project is expected to reach an estimated 50 000 individuals.