The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has emergency response teams already on the ground on the island of Java, Indonesia, where a powerful earthquake struck, killing more than 5,000 people and leaving thousands more injured and without shelter. The death toll and number of injured are expected to rise.

The government declared a three-month emergency and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono moved his office to Yogyakarta. After a cabinet meeting late on May 28, Vice President Jusuf Kalla put relief and rebuilding costs at around 1 trillion rupiah (= USD 106 million) and said the government aimed to complete reconstruction within a year. Kalla said the quake had badly damaged power facilities and deprived tens of thousands of electricity.

ADRA International has allocated an initial USD 100,000 (= CHF 122.300) to get its relief effort underway, and is now appealing for funding.

“ADRA workers in Indonesia are working with local partners to provide immediate shelter, and urgently-needed medical teams are on the way to take care of the injured,” says Frank Teeuwen, ADRA International’s bureau chief for emergency management.

ADRA is rushing additional emergency response staff into the affected region, and earthquake response efforts will expand in the coming hours and days. Updates will be made available.

How you can help: Donate online: http://www.adra.org/site/PageServer?pagename=need_appeal

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

Swiss non-governmental organisations have also reacted. ADRA Switzerland, Catholic charity Caritas, Protestant charity Swiss Interchurch Aid, and the Swiss Red Cross have pledged a total of CHF 424,000 (=USD 347.000) for emergency aid.

Donations to ADRA Switzerland for emergency help in Java can be made

via internet: http://www.adra.ch
or
on postal account 80-26526-3, “Java”.