Padang, Indonesia — October 2, 2009 — More than 1,000 people are estimated to have died in a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Wednesday. Homes, businesses, and public buildings have been leveled, particularly in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province and a city of 900,000 people. Some areas outside of Padang haven’t yet been heard from.

Your donation will help us bring emergency relief - relief supplies and other essential items - to the victims of the earthquake.

IRD is sending an emergency response team of technical specialists to Padang, and coordinating with the United Nations and other response agencies and preparing to conduct emergency field assessments. IRD already has active programs throughout the country and will be assigning in-country staff to the response efforts. Based on assessment findings, our teams will be designing water and sanitation, shelter, and health activities. IRD is also planning to send relevant and appropriate emergency commodities, such as medical supplies, blankets, and hygiene kits, as it has done for past Indonesian disasters.

IRD has been working in Indonesia since 1999. In 2006, IRD staff members were on the ground within hours after an earthquake struck Central Java, distributing food and medical supplies to hospitals and mobilizing resources to provide water, food, and shelter for victims. IRD worked with international partners to arrange the shipment and delivery of more than $1.8 million worth of medical supplies to the region. In response to the devastating tsunami of 2004, IRD installed water systems that provided clean water to almost 60 percent of Banda Aceh and helped rebuild small and medium-sized businesses. IRD is currently implementing USAID’s SERASI program, which helps mitigate conflict and supports peace building initiatives across Indonesia.