Oxfam is responding to support tsunami-affected communities in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, with reports that more than 373 people have died, more than 1,500 people are injured, and more than 11,000 people have been displaced.
These numbers could grow worse as the coastal towns of Sumatra and Java have been turned into rubble by the giant waves that hit on Sunday after the volcano Anak Krakatau erupted. It erupted again yesterday with surrounding areas still submerged in ash and smoke, giving rise to fears of fresh waves.
Oxfam is working with the Government of Indonesia to help people affected by the tsunami. Oxfam is providing clean water, building toilets, and distributing hygiene kits that include blankets and soap.
“People are in shock, and they fear about their safety, and they fear the possibility of another tsunami or landslides," said Dino Argianto, Oxfam’s operations lead in Yogyakarta. "They are also worried about their families and friends who are still missing.
"Thousands of people are housed in makeshift camps, and they need aid urgently including clean drinking water, food, and sanitary supplies. We also need to pay special attention to the safety needs of women and children.
"Two of our teams are already on the ground working with partners to assess the needs and get help where it’s needed quickly.”
Since the tsunami hit Oxfam and its partners have been coordinating with Indonesian authorities and other humanitarian agencies to assess the need in the Sunda Strait. One of the most disaster-prone nations in the world, Indonesia faced humanitarian emergencies this year that left the number of people dead or missing nearing 4,000, with hundreds of thousands more displaced.
Oxfam, working with partners, has reached over 100,000 people affected by the Sulawesi earthquakes almost three months ago by providing clean drinking water, setting up water points and pipelines, building toilets, and distributing hygiene kits. Oxfam has also been working to build the humanitarian capacity of the local partners so that they can respond immediately when disaster strikes.
Oxfam is quickly scaling up to rush emergency aid such as water, food, hygiene kits, and emergency shelter to half a million people. Donate now to help Indonesians meet the most critical needs of those suffering.
