Indonesia Earthquake – Benefit Mankind Emergency Response
At least 34 people were killed and hundreds more injured after a 6.2-magnitute earthquake hit Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early Friday, the country’s disaster mitigation agency said.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 1.28 a.m. Jakarta time, was six kilometers (3.7 miles) northeast of Majene city at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
In Majene, at least eight people died, 637 were injured and 15,000 residents have been displaced, according to the country’s National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB). In the neighboring Mamuju area, an additional 26 deaths were reported.
Benefit Mankind teams with partners are on the ground and will be assisting those whos have lost their homes with emergency tents, cooked food, blankets and hygiene kits.
Thousands of residents fled their homes to seek safety following the quake, which could be felt strongly for five to seven seconds and damaged at least 300 houses in Majene.
Other buildings have also been badly damaged, including a military command office in Majene, and the Mitra Manakara private hospital, hotels and government buildings in the neighboring Mamuju area.
Many people are still trapped under collapsed buildings, according to local search and rescue teams.
Officials fear the death toll will increase as rescue efforts continue. Rescuers have been hampered by power cuts and lack of a phone signal.
The epicentre of Friday’s quake was six kilometres (3.73 miles) northeast of Majene city at a depth of 10km. The toll for Majene was reported as eight people killed and hundreds injured.
Video footage on social media showed collapsed houses and a girl pinned under rubble calling for help.
The situation on the ground is difficult with the corona virus pandemic affecting the country, however with our team of professionals’ aid will be delivered and feedback will be provided.
She also warned that getting response teams to the area could be hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.
Disasters upon Disasters
Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions with droughts, flooding, and mudslides expected to worsen due to climate change. Currently, nearly 70% of low-income housing is built by the families themselves rather than by the government or private developers.
Declining trend. Due to the dense rural nature of parts of the Java, Bali, Lombok, and parts of Sumatra, poverty can be classified into rural and urban poverty. Urban poverty is prevalent in not only in Jabodetabek, but also in Medan and Surabaya.
Almost 25 million Indonesian families live in urban slums with many others settling along railway tracks and riverbanks, and on streets.
Key facts & figures
· Population: Over 258.3 million
· Urbanization: 53.7 % live in cities
· Life expectancy: 72.7 years
· Unemployment rate: 6.2 %
· Population living below poverty line: 11.3 %
