Tsunami Hits Indonesia

August 28, 2008

Country: Indonesia

Topic: Emergencies

Mercy Corps helped survivors like Mbah Putri Setu with shelter and supplies in the aftermath of the May 27 earthquake. Photo: Debbie Tomasowa/Mercy Corps Photo: Debbie Tomasowa

On the morning of July 17, a tsunami struck the Indonesian island of Java, killing at least 525 people, displacing more than 35,000 and sweeping entire communities away. A strong earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 7.7, triggered the wave. Areas up to 1/3 mile inland were devastated and hundreds of fishing boats have been destroyed.

Mercy Corps, which has over 200 staff in Indonesia, is closely monitoring the unfolding situation and stands ready to respond to humanitarian needs.

The agency's emergency staff mounted a lifesaving response to the massive earthquake that struck Java on May 27, 2006. Within hours of the disaster, those workers delivered critical survival kits to survivors who had lost everything. Our teams also sped relief to over 423,000 survivors of 2004's Indian Ocean Tsunami - and we continue to help them rebuild their communities and lives.

Mercy Corps has extensive experience responding to the needs of vulnerable Indonesian families. For the past several years, the agency have helped more than 1,000,000 Indonesians affected by poverty, conflict and disaster.

Donations for this emergency can be made through our Indonesia Earthquake Fund.