Indonesia Earthquake & Tsunami
- STATUS
- Active Emergency
- DATE
- September 28, 2018 -Present
- REGION
- Indonesia
Double Disaster
On September 28, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia and then generated a deadly tsunami on the island of Sulawesi. The earthquake toppled buildings and destroyed roads while a towering 20-foot wave washed over coastal communities, killing more than 2,000 people and forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. More than 70,000 homes may have been wrecked by the quake, tsunami and in mudslides that followed. The death toll, mostly from the city of Palu, continues to rise as hundreds remain missing in the hardest-hit areas.
An estimated 1.5 million people have been affected by the double disaster, according to the Indonesian disaster management agency. The government requested international aid to help survivors access food, water, medical supplies and other necessities.
The tragedy is the latest natural disaster to hit Indonesia, which is frequently struck by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because of its location on the “Ring of Fire.”
Our Response
Our Work in Indonesia
In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed more than 225,000 people throughout Southeast Asia. In the aftermath of that tsunami, Americares completed a $50 million aid program that rebuilt hospitals, schools, water systems and livelihoods for survivors in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. In all, the organization built or renovated more than 40 health care facilities across Southeast Asia.
