8 September 2009

World Vision has committed to a month-long emergency relief response to assist thousands of people affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit West Java province on 2 September.

World Vision has distributed 3,000 family kits and 1,000 under-five kits in six sub-districts in Tasikmalaya and four villages in Pengalengan sub-district, south of Bandung, capital of West Java province.

Distribution continued over the weekend in Margabakti, Marga Mulya and Sukamanah kampongs, among the regions worst-hit by the quake.

170,000 houses and 3,000 schools were damaged by the quake. The Indonesian government has reportedly pledged a large amount of funding to help rehabilitate damaged houses and facilities.

Several survivors in Pengalengan are living under plastic tents with minimal food, water and other basic supplies. Mosquitoes are prolific in the area and babies and children are easy targets. Meanwhile, dust swarming most of the temporary shelter sites is making it hard to breathe.

"Children have started getting sick," said a concerned grandmother in Marga Mulya.

Some children in shelters have been suffering from diarrhoea, pneumonia, skin diseases and fever. Medical service units have been set up but some have minimal facilities. World Vision has started distributing clean water and mobile sanitation facilities have been sent to Pengalengan.

World Vision’s response includes working to address the needs of children in the area, many of whom were distressed by the quake. A Child Friendly Space has been set up in Pengalengan and there are plans to establish three more. World Vision is providing toys, books, pens, supplementary food and other facilities for the centres and is working with local agencies in their operation.

World Vision’s mobile library arrived in the region Saturday and has been a favourite place for many children. World Vision is confident these interventions will help ease the distress experienced by more than 1,000 of children impacted by the quake.