International Medical Corps is expanding its relief efforts in Padang, Indonesia, as well as three outlying villages, operating mobile and static clinics, including for those displaced in camps by last week’s deadly earthquake.
The search for survivors continues, with International Medical Corps supporting the efforts of its long-time partner in Indonesia, Ambulan 118, a national organization of emergency responders. However, hope is dwindling that survivors will be found in the rubble of the 7.6 quake that the U.N. estimates claimed 1,100 lives and left thousands of others missing. Some 90,000 homes have been destroyed.
International Medical Corps is providing emergency health care and distributing much needed non-food items and hygiene kits to those who have suffered injuries and also lost family as well as their homes.
“There have been landslides in nearby villages that have widened the destruction, so we are also focusing our outreach to areas that are as much as three hours away from Padang,” said Yogi Mahendra, International Medical Corps senior logistics officer. “Also, because water systems have been damaged or destroyed we are very concerned about access to clean, safe water and sanitation.”
In order to continue providing assistance to the victims, International Medical Corps is in need of donations, including cash and gift-in-kind, to assist in the effort.
Earthquakes, volcanoes and other seismic activity occur frequently in the region, commonly called the Ring of Fire; the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, to which International Medical Corps was one of the first organizations to respond, claimed nearly 230,000 lives.
Since 2005, International Medical Corps, alongside Ambulan 118, has conducted ongoing Disaster Management and Response training programs with disaster simulations for government departments mandated with disaster response in over 10 provinces in Indonesia. Along with local partners, International Medical Corps has raised the capacity of over 1,000 medical personnel and laymen (including police, firemen, search and rescue personnel and community leaders) in emergency medical response and disaster management. This training and simulation was also conducted in Padang, West Sumatra. Over 200 government officials participated in the earthquake simulation.
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Since its inception
more than 25 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been
consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural
disaster, and disease, by delivering vital health care services that
focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is
critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. For more
information visit: www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org