Earthquake Response Continues

An Indonesian mother comforts her injured child in the wake of the Java earthquake. Photo: REUTERS/Beawiharta, courtesy of www.alertnet.org

Early the morning of May 27, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the Indonesian island of Java, devastating the region and killing more than 5,700. Entire villages were instantly leveled. An estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless by the earthquake.

We need your help to continue and expand delivery of relief supplies to families who lost everything, as well as to prepare for the next stage of aid: recovery and rebuilding.

Mercy Corps quickly deployed experienced emergency staff to the area, where they delivered "survival kits" - which contained tarpaulins, blankets and hygiene items - to families whose homes were destroyed. Our team is continuing to assess other needs and respond where necessary.

The agency is providing aid to approximately 25,000 survivors in the short-term, and also plans on assisting families with clean-up, recovery and rebuilding in the months to come. We will stay long after the headlines have faded.

"People are the best agents of their own recovery," said Mercy Corps CEO Neal Keny-Guyer. "The best thing we can do is provide these communities with the tools they need to get back to their lives."

Mercy Corps has extensive experience responding to the needs of vulnerable Indonesian families. For the past several years, our 200 in-country staff have helped more than 1,000,000 Indonesians affected by poverty, conflict and disaster. We sped rapid relief to survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and are continuing to help over 423,000 tsunami survivors return to their home villages, rebuild their communities and establish strong, vibrant local economies.

Please donate now to provide relief and recovery tools to earthquake survivors.

To get a first-hand perspective from our emergency operations in Central Java, please read the following stories from the field:

• This Too Shall Pass by Debbie Tomasowa
• This Is Our Home by Debbie Tomasowa
• Recovery Toolkits by Helmi Urzais