World Vision has launched an emergency response following
a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off the
coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island over the
weekend.
At least 50 people have been confirmed dead,
thousands of children and their families have been
displaced, and strong aftershocks continue to affect
communities across the island.
Fatalities have been
reported across East Nusa Tenggara Province where the
earthquake struck at a depth of about 15km.
Search and
Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach survivors, but
have been hampered by multiple aftershocks, several
measuring above magnitude 5.
Isolated communities have
been cut off by landslides and damaged roads, and
authorities are still working to determine the full scale of
the disaster.
World Vision Indonesia’s Disaster
Management Manager, Fransisco Fernando, says children and
families are facing days, weeks and months of fear and
uncertainty.
“Our hearts go out to all those who have
lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in this devastating
earthquake.
“We are particularly concerned for
children. Many have experienced terrifying shaking, rushed
evacuations and the loss of the places where they normally
feel safe. Experiences like these can have a profound impact
on a child’s sense of safety and wellbeing.”
Fernando
says as the aftershocks continue, rescue efforts are racing
against time to reach isolated communities.
“Thousands
of people are displaced and there is widespread damage to
schools, homes and health facilities.
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“World Vision is
in the region right now distributing shelter kits so
affected children and families who have been left homeless
have some temporary shelter,” he says.
The
children’s charity will truck clean water to isolated
villages this week so that villages have access to safe
water.
Fernando says while search and rescue efforts
remain the immediate priority, it is also critical that
there is a focus on children’s long-term
needs.
“It’s vital that children have access to
protection, psychosocial support and the basic assistance
they need to recover.
“We’re very worried that the
earthquake may further exacerbate pre-existing
vulnerabilities across Flores, including water scarcity,
food insecurity, malnutrition, and mental health and child
protection concerns.
“Continued El Niño conditions
will also heighten the risk of crop failure, further
worsening household food insecurity,” he says.
New
Zealanders can help children and families affected by the
earthquake: www.worldvision.org.nz
