Newsroom Press Releases

AmeriCares Expands Emergency Earthquake Operations in Java, Indonesia

Stamford, CT, May 30 2006 - AmeriCares is expanding its emergency response to the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Indonesia on May 27, by sending critically-needed shipments of medicines and medical supplies to the affected areas within the next 24 hours.

Since Saturday, an AmeriCares emergency response team based in Indonesia has distributed more than 15 tons of relief supplies including water, food, tents and lanterns to more than 10,000 people in the hard hit areas of Bantul and Klaten. The AmeriCares team has been collaborating with local partners in both areas to evaluate the medical needs. The shipments of medicines are departing from AmeriCares facilities in Amsterdam and Stamford; they include urgently needed first aid and trauma treatments, antibiotics and other medicines, IV fluids, orthopedic supplies and other emergency relief supplies. In addition, AmeriCares is providing enough water purification treatments to provide 3.5 million liters of clean drinking water. These supplies will be distributed for immediate use to AmeriCares local partners.

AmeriCares will also continue to focus additional relief efforts in Klaten, where nearly 100% of the homes were destroyed, with distributions of food, water and tents planned for the coming days. "Shelter, food and healthcare continue to be the most pressing needs in the affected communities," says AmeriCares Country Director in Indonesia, David Prettyman. "Heavy rains are continuing to cause hardship for the survivors and tents are desperately needed in Klaten."

More than 5,600 people were killed in Saturday’s disaster, with nearly 10,000 injured and more than 100,000 left homeless. AmeriCares has responded to earthquakes many times in its 24-year history, including last October’s deadly 7.6 earthquake in Pakistan; the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that struck Southeast Asia including Indonesia in December 2004; and the December 2003, earthquake in Bam, Iran.

To learn more about AmeriCares relief efforts in Indonesia, or to make a contribution to the Indonesia Relief Fund, log onto www.americares.org or call 1-800-486-HELP (4357).