CARE responding to Indonesia earthquake, distributing emergency relief

CARE Indonesia is working in coordination with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) to distribute CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies parcels to 200 families affected by the earthquake in Nagekeo District, East Nusa Tenggara.

These packages include:

• Hygiene kits with toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, underwear, sanitary pads, and other hygiene supplies.
• Solar-powered lighting kits to support families living in areas with limited access to electricity and lighting.
• Water storage and filtration supplies, including buckets, jerry cans, filter cloths, and collapsible funnels.
• Cooking utensils, including knives, glasses, frying pans, a steamer, portable stoves, and plates.
• Emergency shelter supplies, such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, sarongs, and jarit cloth.

Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, CEO of Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia), says that CARE is working to ensure that all family members receive support.

“In an emergency, assistance must not only arrive quickly, but also respond to the actual needs of every family member. CARE’s response takes into account the needs of women and children, including hygiene, menstrual health, clean water, safety, and the support in ensuring decent conditions in temporary shelters.” Abdul said.

Clean water, essential medicines, and hygiene supplies are still in urgent need. Abdul said that a rapid needs assessment will also take place to “ensure that subsequent responses are more targeted, inclusive and responsive to conditions on the ground.”

Reports indicate that the earthquake hit one of Indonesia’s poorest provinces and women and children make up more than 30% of people in evacuation sites. CARE is currently working with local authorities and humanitarian groups to distribute aid and will provide updates as more information comes in.

CARE has worked in Indonesia since 1967, and our work focuses on disaster risk reduction, emergency response, natural resource management, food distribution, water, sanitation, and more.