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Crisis Alert: We are responding to Hurricane Helene

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Responding to the Indonesia Earthquake on the Island of Java

  • November 22, 2022
  • Earthquake
  • Americares supports a reporductive tent in Cianjur, Indonesia on November 26, 2022 following the deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake that hit West Java, Indonesia. Americares has deployed a team of Indonesia roster members and purchased medicine, medical supplies, and WASH items to aid damaged health facilities in Cianjur. November 26, 2022. (Photo/Americares)

**Update 12/30/2022**

An Americares emergency response team was on the ground in Cianjur, Indonesia as of November 25, 2022 to deliver critically needed medicines and medical supplies. Our team assessed local health needs and has been supporting damaged health facilities following the deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake which struck on November 21, 2022. The death toll continued to climb as people were found in the rubble. As of the end of the December update, more than 330 people had died and nearly 600 people were injured.

The team’s first delivery includes items requested by the Ministry of Health including, suture kits, family tents, blankets, hygiene kits, baby care kits and cooking supplies. To date, Americares has provided relief items to 600 families after the earthquake. Our team is also providing medicines and medical supplies and support to emergency clinics—including a reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health emergency clinic—being managed by the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund.

The quake struck Cianjur town in Indonesia’s West Java. The disaster management agency National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure said the quake damaged more than 62,000 homes in the highly populated area, leaving over 73,500 people displaced across 146 villages in the region. According to our partners, 14 health units have also been destroyed or damaged. Over 300 aftershocks have been felt in and around Cianjur.

An Americares staff member surveys the damage in the Cigenang District of Indonesia on November 26, 2022 (Photo/Americares)

At least two hospitals in Cianjur were affected by the earthquake and field tents were set up around the hospitals so survivors could still receive care, the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure said.

“Our team is ready to meet the most urgent health needs of survivors after this devastating earthquake,” said Americares Director of International Emergency Response Cora Nally. “We’re already seeing requests for things like hygiene kits, suture kits and other items that are often in high demand in the immediate aftermath of disasters.”

Two Americares staff members in blue t-shirts work with four other people (one inside van) unloading supplies from a box van.
Americares staff members unload supplies in Cianjur, Indonesia on November 26, 2022. (Photo/Americares)

Americares has been providing assistance to Indonesia since 1995, delivering medicines, medical supplies and relief items in response to emergencies. The health-focused relief and development organization has provided more than $230 million in total aid to Indonesia over the years.

In 2018, Americares responded with medical supplies and equipment for health facilities and psychological first aid for relief workers after a powerful earthquake that hit the island of Lombok. Americares also provided assistance to Indonesia as part of its response to the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami.

Donations to Americares Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the crisis. To donate, go to sandbox.americares.org/worldwide.