2000 People Feared Dead in 87 Earthquake in Indonesia Islamic Relief Immediately Responds



April 1, 2005 -- The Indonesian island of Sumatra was struck by a powerful earthquake on the 28th of March. The 8.7 magnitude quake occurred at around 2315 local time off the coast of Sumatra, triggering fears of another tsunami. Thousands of people still traumatised by the Boxing Day earthquake fled for high ground.

The worst hit area is the island of Nias where Indonesian officials estimate that between 1000 and 2000 people have been killed. In the town of Gunungsitoli, 70% of the buildings in its market area have been destroyed. Nearly half of Gunungsitoli's 27,000 residents fled the town fearing tsunamis after the earthquake struck.

Rescuers spent the night pulling people out of the rubble, but were hampered by the lack of electricity. Bad weather also prevented the first efforts to rush aid into Nias. Air Force pilot Agung said, "The weather is bad and all flights are being turned away. All flights including from the Red Cross have failed to reach Nias".

In Banda Aceh there was widespread panic as residents rushed inland. Several people were injured in traffic accidents that followed the panic. Electricity and phone services were out in much of Banda Aceh.

Islamic Relief Action
The IR team immediately distributed water and food to the people who fled to higher ground, as well as to those who had assembled in mosques, roads and bus stops in several districts of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar.

A disaster response team has been deployed to organise supplies to the Nias and Simlo islands. The team are travelling to both locations to assess the situation and to draft an implementation plan. In the interim, IR is providing medical supplies, 300 tents and 600 hygiene kits for Nias Island.

Islamic Relief has worked in Aceh since 28 December 2004 following the Boxing Day tsunami and has two offices in the province with over 60 staff. Islamic Relief is continuing its massive rehabilitation projects in the region

Early reports of damage and casualties were confined to the island of Nias, off the Sumatran coast, close to the epicenter.

From its office in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Islamic Relief Worldwide immediately responded to the crisis, distributing food and water to the survivors of the earthquake.

Islamic Relief Worldwide is continuing to monitor the situation in order to respond to the ongoing needs of the victims. Please donate generously to help the emergency relief efforts.

The victims of the massive earthquake need your immediate support. Please donate generously today by going to the following website. http://www.irw.org/

Islamic Relief USA
1919 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91506

(888) 479-4968
http://www.irw.org/
e-mail protected from spam bots

Tax ID#: 95-4453134





2000 People Feared Dead in 87 Earthquake in Indonesia Islamic Relief Immediately Responds