May 28, 2006 — A group of CARE disaster relief experts has joined a U.N. assessment team in the earthquake-stricken region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. CARE is focusing particularly on the needs of remote rural areas that were devastated by the May 27 disaster, which has claimed at least 3,000 lives and injured thousands more. As part of our initial response, CARE is prepared to distribute water purification solution to help prevent water-borne diseases that spread quickly in the aftermath of such emergencies.
"The first days after a disaster are crucial," says Dr. Endang Widyastuti, CARE's health program director in Indonesia and part of the current assessment team in Yogyakarta. Dr. Endang was one of the first emergency workers to respond to the massive Indian Ocean tsunami that slammed Indonesia's Aceh province in 2004.
"We are assessing the situation and coordinating with other agencies and the government of Indonesia to identify gaps and make sure we are not duplicating responses," Dr. Endang says. "The most important thing at this point is to ensure we help everyone in need."
With 40 years of experience in Indonesia, CARE will use our extensive network of trained staff and partner organizations to bring lifesaving aid to survivors. Reports indicate that the 6.3-magnitude quake left around 200,000 people homeless in this heavily populated area of central Java.
As we hear back from our assessment team, we will provide further updates about CARE's response.