Latest update: 2.19pm 4/10/2009

For poor people whose lives rely on a daily income, the devastating earthquake in the western part of Sumatra on 30 September has made their bad situation worse. The earthquake does not just damage or ruin their houses, it also prevents them from working, it loses them an income and in many cases it prevents people from carrying out jobs that others rely on.

These are just 4 stories of what people are facing today:

Aminah and Novelni usually sell traditional meal for elementary school students. Because the earthquake damaged the school and stopped school activities, Aminah and Novelni can’t sell the meal. They also have to clean the rubble remains of their damaged houses.

Don has to stop working as a driver of city public transportation because he has to clean the rubble of his house.

Noviel is a travel agent who each day trieds to secure passengers for the Padang to Payakumbuh route . If he gets passengers, he gets paid a commission. But Noviel’s house is severely damaged – he can only sift through the remains to see if there is anything salvageable. Until he can return to work, he will not have an income.

Mayayur works as an assistant to a vegetable trader for her daily life. The earthquake has destroyed her boss’s business, so she too is out of work..

These stories are from people living in a village around 20km from Padang. The only help they’ve been given up until now is a tent for shelter. They are in desperate need of help, to recover, and rebuild their lives.

You can read more about World Vision’s relief efforts in Indonesia here.