Indonesia: AmeriCares Medical Aid and Emergency Relief

Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction

2004 Tsunami Devastates the Province of Aceh
On the morning of December 26, 2004, the largest earthquake to shake Indonesia in 40 years — measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale — generated a tsunami that decimated the province of Aceh. The surge of ocean water extended five miles inland, killing an estimated 180,000 people. This unprecedented natural disaster prompted a tremendous outpouring of assistance from the American public and the international community. Three years later that support continues to help AmeriCares and the people of Aceh rebuild communities and lives.

Immediate Relief: Airlifts of Medical Assistance for Decimated Health System
Beginning on January 8, AmeriCares delivered three back-to-back airlifts of medicines, supplies and water purification treatments worth $4.2 million in order to mitigate the threat of infectious disease. AmeriCares dispatched teams of relief workers to Aceh to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts with other international organizations. Among the areas of greatest need was the health sector, which had experienced a devastating loss of facilities as well as the doctors and nurses who had once staffed them. According to the Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh (ARR), the earthquake and tsunami destroyed eight hospitals, 114 public health centers, 44 village health posts and 240 other health care facilities. More than 2,200 health care workers lost their lives.

Reconstruction: Tsunami Relief Fund Closed and Country Office Opened
On March 31, 2004, AmeriCares closed its Tsunami Relief Fund, announcing that AmeriCares had raised sufficient funds to meet immediate needs and underwrite long-term reconstruction plans. As relief efforts transitioned to reconstruction, AmeriCares established tsunami program offices in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, and in one of the worst hit areas, Banda Aceh.

Reconstruction Accomplishments (as of March 2008):

Health

• - 27 health care facilities constructed or rehabilitated including village health posts, public health centers and child care centers
• - 178 health care facilities supplied with equipment, medicine and medical consumables including hospitals, clinics, health posts, training centers, laboratories and mental health units
• - 15,155 households protected from malaria and dengue fever with integrated prevention measures
• - 6,051 health workers trained including doctors, nurses, midwives and community health volunteers

Livelihoods and Economic Infrastructure

• - 6,929 household equipped with new livelihood materials and supplies
• - 3,575 individuals trained in new livelihood activities
• - 16 economic infrastructure projects completed, including the construction of the Lampulo wholesale fish market in Banda Aceh, irrigation systems and fish ponds.
• - 38 community training centers constructed or rehabilitated

Water and Sanitation

• - 11 large-scale clean water systems or reservoirs constructed for 33,875 people
• - 37 water management groups trained
• - 192 latrine blocks constructed

Education and School Reconstruction

• - 5 schools constructed or rehabilitated
  • 1 secondary school
  • 2 primary schools
  • 2 kindergartens

These projects would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of our partners including: CHF International, International Organization for Migration, International Medical Corps, JSI Training Institute, The Mentor Initiative, Project Concern International, International Rescue Committee, HOPE worldwide and Islamic Relief.

EMERGENCY RESPONSES FOR OTHER DISASTERS IN INDONESIA

Located on the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flooding. In February 2007, when much of Jakarta succumbed to flooding, AmeriCares helped communities clean up their mud-filled homes and provided the damaged As-Sa’adah primary school and orphanage with new furniture and school supplies.

In May 2006 a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Java. AmeriCares Indonesia office responded immediately with relief supplies including food, drinking water, tarpaulins, basic medicines and lamps for stricken communities in Yogyakarta and Central Java. In the spring of 2007, AmeriCares provided the community of Pesu with materials and medical equipment for a new village health post. AmeriCares also provided equipment for nine rehabilitated or newly built health centers in Bantul. In partnership with a local non-governmental organization, Yogyakarta Community Foundation (YKY), AmeriCares constructed a water supply system that now provides 150 families with potable water.

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