Oxfam is prepared to respond to support tsunami-affected communities in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait.
Coastal communities in the Sundra Strait are among the worst hit from the tsunami, with Indonesia’s national disaster management authority claiming underwater landslides triggered by a volcanic eruption from Mt Krakatoa may have caused the waves.
Oxfam Australia’s Humanitarian Manager Meg Quartermaine said Oxfam and its partners were coordinating with Indonesian authorities and other humanitarian agencies in order to assess the need in the Sunda Strait.
“Almost three months after a large 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia, causing devastating rapid onset tsunami waves, communities in Indonesia are again waking up to the news of another deadly tsunami ...” Quartermaine said. "We know affected communities will need food and access to clean water.
“Oxfam is planning assessments to help to understand the scale of the disaster and to determine what sort of response may be required, if requested.”
Oxfam, through its partner organizations, is well placed to be able to mobilize quickly in the aftermath of the second tsunami in the region in the past three months.
Oxfam, through its partner organizations and relief efforts, has now reached more than 100,000 people in Sulawesi with aid and services including the distribution of more than 17,000 hygiene kits, the construction of dozens of toilets, water pipelines, and water distribution points.
Act now to help Indonesians meet the most critical needs of those suffering.