Thousands still missing following deadly Indonesian tsunami
It has been confirmed that 1.5 million people have been affected by the disaster with 200,000 people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, about a quarter of themare children.
The earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on 28 September, triggering a terrifying tsunami and a trail of destruction, but the full impact of the devastatingearthquake and tsunami, which also triggered many landslides, is only now emerging.
Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed and entire communities have been cut off from any contact for days. It has been estimated that it could take five months to find all of thedead.
However, Indonesian officials announced they were halting search operations on 11 October.
Around 2,700 schools, 20 hospitals and health centress and 99 religious buildings have reportedly been damaged.
The Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) member charities and their local partners are working closely with the Indonesian authorities to provide food, clean water, first aid andshelter, as well as helping survivors to cope with the traumatic experiences they’ve been through.The 13 DEC members are delivering aid have national affiliates and local partners in Indonesia, working closely with the government, to provide relief, recovery and reconstructionassistance.
The DEC tsunami appeal in Scotland has raised more than £1.3 million to help more than 200,000 survivors, with £15 million raised across the UK.
From the moment disaster struck, DEC members have been providing Indonesian partners with vital support to scale up rapidly and save lives.
The charities and their local partners are working closely with the Indonesian authorities to provide food, clean water, first aid and shelter, as well as helping survivors to cope with thetraumatic experiences they’ve been through.
As the full scale of the disaster unfolds, they are ready to do even more, helping devastated communities rebuild their lives.
The DEC is urging people to continue donating as £30 could provide emergency shelter for a family, £50 could provide them with food for a month. Donations can be made atwww.dec.org.uk or by texting SUPPORT to 70000. Texts cost £5 and the whole £5 goes to the DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission.
For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk