Indonesia – West Java Earthquake/Tsunami

Geneva, 18 July 2006

An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck off the south western coast of Java on Monday 17 July triggering a two-metre wave that crashed into the southern coast of Indonesia’s Java island. Reports differ at the moment, but according to Indonesia’s Health Ministry casualties currently stand at 201 dead and 295 injured. Rescue workers warn that many more people may be buried under the rubble left in the wake of the tsunami. 

The epicentre of the quake lay 620 km south of Ciamis, West Java, and occurred 33 km below sea level. The quakes could be felt in Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java), Kebumen (Central Java), Bandung and Sukabumi (West Java). 

The resort town of Pangandaran seems to have been the hardest hit and at least 127 people have been killed there. Many of the mostly wooden houses along Pangandaran beach were destroyed and people living in the coastal area of Pangandaran have been ordered to evacuate in case of aftershocks and the possibility of more tsunamis. In Kebumen, more than 450 fishing boats have been reported missing. The communications infrastructure for the area is also down. 

ACT member Yakkum Emergency Aid (YEU/ACT) reports that Parangtritis, Yogyakarta is also affected and 3 people are reported to have lost their lives. However, material loss is minor in this area.

ACT member Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia (YTBI/ACT) has made contact with the Sundanese Protestant Church (GKP) in Bandung and is planning on conducting a rapid needs assessment in the area for possible emergency relief. 

ACT member Church World Service Indonesia (CWSI/ACT) together with YEU/ACT are on their way to Kebumen, central Java to carry out a rapid assessment. They are equipped with mineral water and biscuits to distribute to survivors. One of YEU/ACT’s staff, who is originally from Kebumen, is co-ordinating with the Pondok Pesantren (Moslem School). Another joint emergency team (CWS/ACT, YEU/ACT and YTBI/ACT) will soon arrive in Pangandaran to conduct a needs assessment. YAKKUM’s hospital unit, Immanuel Klampok Hospital is also sending a medical team to Pangandaran. 

As all ACT members are in the process of assessing the situation, an RRF/Appeal is expected to be forthcoming. 

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).  

For further information please contact:
ACT Director, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or
ACT Program Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916)

In Malaysia, kindly donate to the CCM Relief Fund.