Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami Response
People survey damage outside the shopping mall following earthquakes and tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. Rescuers try to reach trapped victims in collapsed buildings after hundreds of people are confirmed dead in a tsunami that hit two central Indonesian cities, sweeping away buildings with massive waves. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi on Friday morning, causing a tsunami and around 170 aftershocks. It is the most devastating earthquake to hit Indonesia since 2004.
The area devastated by the disaster is bigger than originally thought. The tsunami wave was as high as six metres in some places.
The death toll is currently at 832 and expected to rise sharply. 821 of the deaths occurred in the city of Palu. There are still only 11 casualties recorded in the city of Donggala, one of the worst hit areas
Bodies are now being buried in mass graves once they have been identified.
The city of Palu has been devastated. There is no electricity and drinking water is in short supply after the pipes were damaged. Fuel is also running low.
Rescue operations are hindered by the lack of heavy equipment needed to shift the rubble. Most search and rescue of victims is being done by hand.
Bishops’ Appeal is acting as a conduit for funds which they will direct to agencies to aid emergency relief efforts on the ground.
However, we would urge parishes and individuals not to divert Harvest giving as there are many communities awaiting funding for life saving projects across the globe. For example, refugee training and trauma support centres in Lebanon and Iraq and access to safe water for schools and communities in Uganda.
All information on giving can be found at the ‘Give’ section of this website.
