Massive earthquake and tsunami leave Indonesia in dire need of international assistance

Over two million people may feel the impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - A powerful earthquake rocked the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday, triggering a three-metre high tsunami. The number of casualties has grown to over 1200 and is expected to further rise in the coming days. Early estimates indicate the full scope of the crisis could impact over two million people.

WV Indonesia’s emergency response team has reached Palu, Central Sulawesi where several homes and buildings have collapsed following an earthquake and tsunami. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)

On Monday, the Indonesian government requested international assistance. Conditions in impacted areas remain extremely difficult. After search and rescue, World Vision crisis management staff say initial needs are water, food, fuel, medicine, temporary shelters and protection for children. Buildings are vulnerable to aftershocks and downed electricity and communication networks are serious obstacles to getting aid to where it is desperately needed.

"World Vision is deeply concerned about the impact on children, who at this stage will be terrified of the aftershocks and struggling to cope with the uncertainty and loss of loved ones," says World Vision in Indonesia's National Director, Doseba Sinay. "Ensuring that survivors have their immediate needs met with adequate shelter, food and water will be critical over the coming days."

How Canadians can help:

• Canadians wishing to donate to World Vision's emergency response in Indonesia can visit worldvision.ca, or call 1-866-595-5550.

Quick Facts:

• The earthquake with an initial magnitude of 7.4 Richter hit was centred 27 kilometres northeast of Donggala at a depth of 10 kilometres and caused a tsunami in Donggala, Palu and Mamuju.
  
  
• Over 60,000 evacuees are being housed in emergency evacuation centres
  
  
• Initial reports suggest the possibility of 839 villages in Central Sulawesi and 95 villages in West Sulawesi have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
  
  
• World Vision has several projects in Central Sulawesi province serving more than 5,000 sponsored children.

Additional Resources:

• Latest photos and video: Here

About World Vision
World Vision is a relief, development and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

For more information, visit www.worldvision.ca or follow us at @worldvisioncan

SOURCE World Vision Canada

MEDIA CONTACT: Joanne Legin, Communications Officer, World Vision Canada, Tel: [phone] ext. 2523 Mobile: [phone], [email protected]