On September 28th a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, including the city of Palu. The earthquake triggered a tsunami that engulfed the city, devastating infrastructure and causing substantial loss of life. To date almost 2.5 million people are potentially affected and more than 1,400 have lost their lives. It is anticipated that the number of people confirmed dead will rise. Oxfam and its partners are assessing the damage and responding to immediate needs.
Many people have been displaced and thousands need tents and have so far been sleeping in the rain. There is a desperate need to provide life-saving supplies of food and water, as well as keeping people safe. Communications remain difficult and road access is hampered so the full extent of the damage and suffering caused is still not fully understood. Oxfam and its partners are carrying out a rapid needs assessment, with a view to assisting 500,000 people in Palu City and Donggala District.
Upon completion, our assessment will determine the most pressing needs of those affected and our response details, but at present our goal is that the immediate needs of approximately 500,000 individuals will be met through the combined provision of hygiene materials, increased safe water and adequate sanitation facilities, the provision of shelter materials such as tarpaulins, distribution of non-food items such as blankets and cooking equipment, and food.
Oxfam has been working with local and national partners in Indonesia since 1957. We are currently working in six provinces, where we support the Government of Indonesia, civil society, and local communities. We focus on helping build resilience to disasters, empowering women to realize their rights, and reducing inequality and poverty. Oxfam also established a Humanitarian Knowledge Hub that consists of 16 local organizations for disaster risk management.
