New Quake Hits Indonesia - Muslim Aid

An earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale struck the west coast of Indonesias Sumatra Island Monday 28 March 2005, at 11.09 pm (local Jakarta time) / 16.09 (UTC).

UN OCHA (PRWEB) April 1, 2005 -- An earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale struck the west coast of Indonesias Sumatra Island Monday 28 March 2005, at 11.09 pm (local Jakarta time) / 16.09 (UTC).

Several aftershocks have been reported in the Simeulue and Nias region (up to 15 ranging from 4.9 to 6.1 in magnitude). There are no reports of tsunami waves as a result of the latest earthquakes.

Initial reports indicate that Nias Island, Simeulue Island and the Banyak islands, located off the southwest coast of Sumatra, are the areas worst affected by the latest earthquakes. Nias Island, south of Simeulue, has an estimated population of 444,000, of which some 1,780 people are registered as internally displaced. Simeulue Island has an estimated population of 77,751 people, of which 18,000 people are internally displaced. The Banyak islands, located between Nias and Simeulue, have an estimated population of 5,000 people.

Current Situation and Response

Nias: While the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed, there are approximately 200 dead and over 300 injured, many of them severely. Medical evacuations of the most serious cases are currently being carried out to Medan, Meulaboh and Sibolga. WHO is sending doctors from Meulaboh to Nias to deal with trauma cases.

There is a need for emergency food rations, water and shelter. OCHA Medan has dispatched 500 tents from UNHCR at the request of the inter-agency advance assessment team. The tents are to arrive on a Singapore Chinook on 29 March. UNICEF is sending 2 water treatment plants to Nias.

Logistics hubs will be formed in Sibolga and Medan. All available helicopters and small aircraft have been drafted into Medan to assist with this operation. UNHAS is sending staff to Nias to respond to the increased need for air traffic control.

The Government dispatched a team from Jakarta to assess the situation and no request for international assistance has been made pending the outcome of that mission. More assessments are being planned for 30 March throughout the area, including Pulau Banyak and Aceh Singkil.

Simeulue: The OCHA/WFP/Government (Dinas Sosial) team completed their rapid assessment of the situation and found that most buildings constructed out of timber with light corrugated steel roves suffered very little damage, whereas many of the concrete buildings were damaged or collapsed (including the Bupati/Mayors office). The population is generally fearful of a tsunami, probably because the water level appears to have dropped. Many have moved out of their damaged homes into tents or makeshift shelters.

Initial estimates of casualties report 3 dead and 47 injured in Sinabang Hospital. Although the hospital suffered structural damage, it is still in operation and tents have been erected as a temporary measure. All collapsed structures have been searched. Some casualties were evacuated by light aircraft to Medan. International NGOs have not reported any casualties.

The airport is operational with the normal flight timetable to/from Medan on schedule. No suitable helicopter landing site has been found for MI8s in the capital of Sinabang. The route from the airport to Sinabang is open, but parts of the road are fractured. All bridges are open, but abutments are damaged.

Communications on the island are poor. Satellite telephones and HF radios are in need. The Indonesian army (TNI) is present and in desperate need for communications equipment. A TNI reconnaissance team was deployed mid afternoon and will attempt to provide assistance.

Main needs include: tented hospital for 50 people; 2 tons dried biscuits for the hospital; general doctors; hospital equipment; oxygen and basic medicines, glucose drips; 200 tents for homeless families; communications and GPS equipment. In this initial phase, CARE, CRS and SC have indicated they would be able to assist with a number of these requirements.

Banyak islands: A rapid aerial assessment of Banyak and Singkil islands, which were nearest to the epicentre of the 8.7 earthquake, revealed that life appeared to be normal with little to no destruction and no visible humanitarian needs. No helicopter landing site exists on the island.

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