Java Tsunami Appeal

News Report

Monday morning July 17th, the last of over three thousands visitors which had flocked the beach in the tourist village Pangandaran to enjoy the yearly kite festival held over the weekend, had left .The sea side village resumed its daily activities. Fisherman sailing out to catch fish, surfers paddling out to catch the perfect wave…

A few hours later, at 4 o’clock local time a series of three earthquakes in Indian Ocean caused a tsunami that hit the south coast of Java, leaving destruction and despair in its wake on a stretch of more than 300km of coastal area during high season including Pangandaran itself.

Waves from 2 to 7 meters high caused enormous damage from 200 up to 400 meter in land, taking with it all the wooden, bamboo and brick stone structures. In many places everything was erased and small villages were cut off from the main road. Cars and fishing boats were thrown up to 200 meter in land. The stronger buildings such as the bigger hotels resisted the tsunami, but because of the rubble, all suffered damages on the ground floor. The majority of the coastal population left the town and the villages to find refuge in the surrounding hills, and now slowly some of them are returning.

Over 800 deaths affect families

The number of death stands at around 800 but there still may be more bodies covered under the rubble. Among the victims in Pangandaran were a few tourists from Australia, Sweden, Pakistan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, while all other victims were inhabitants from Pangandaran and the surrounding villages.

Hardships of displaced families

8,000 people who are believed to have lost everything are dispersed over 81 camps for the displaced. Many more have also lost their source of income. A lot of people, whose houses have been spared, have fled to these camps because they are scared.

The camps of the displaced are improvised in schools and on the village squares and are administrated by village coordinators and supplied by the army, local NGOs and volunteer groups. The Indonesian government, army and the local NGOs have contributed to the first humanitarian emergency aid, as well as some of the international NGOs such as UNICEF, OXFAM, AAI, WHO, OCHA and WFP , mostly using their resources from Jogjakarta.

However following a survey done by two Indonesian NGO’s, WALHI and PPLP, the displaced still suffer from a lack of food and nutrients, tents, blankets, medical supplies, proper sanitation, clean water, clothes as well as children’s and women’s needs. The most vulnerable like babies, children, pregnant and breast feeding women, and the elderly are suffering from malnutrition because only dry food and rice is distributed A lot of the displaced also suffer from trauma .The combination of unhealthy food, poor sanitation and trauma is dramatic.

PPLP: Pendidikan Lingkungan Pesisir is a learning centre for coastal environment based in Pangandaran.

WALHI: Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia is the National Environmental Watch organization

Sanitation and water problems

The inhabitants who have stayed in the coastal towns and villages to look after the remains of their properties have important sanitary problems and do not always get the food and medical attention required. For days, they have lived without electricity and many water pumps are still not functioning. Furthermore, the wells clogged by dirty water and sand can not be used. People with pre-tsunami medical conditions who have lost their source of income, are not been attended to.. These conditions are not considered to be a medical emergency.

Drinking water has become a problem in this area. The lack of adequate sanitation poses a potential threat for infectious diseases. Although UNICEF has done a vaccination campaign through the health centers some cases of malaria and tetanus have been reported in the camps.

How You Can Help

Rotary initiative for immediate help

The best form of support is cash; it is immediately useful, it can be used to support the local economy, and it ensures appropriate local items are provided.

Cash supplied through Rotary Clubs is properly controlled and accounted for.

Rotary District 3400 comprises all the Rotary Clubs in Indonesia.  District 3400 is coordinating Rotary support, and has allocated two bank accounts for this disaster. See the website.

Bank:  Lippo Bank

Location:  Sudirman, Badung, Java, Indonesia

Account Name:  Disaster Relief (Pangandaran) , Rotary International D 3400, Indonesia

Your generous donations will be used to support families directly affected by the disaster.

 

The primary Rotary initiative is for the supply of 1100 liter water tanks and shelter boxes, like in the sample opposite, to provide fresh drinking water and essential supplies.

A local initiative for self-help

WALHI and PPLP together with the community came up with the idea to organize a recycle festival for International recycling day November 27th and to recycle the rubble of Pangandaran and start rebuilding with it, cleaning up, providing work, stimulating the arts, educating, distraction for the people suffering trauma, and promote tourism and the arts at the same time. PPLP also aims to help find funds so the fishermen can rebuild their boats. They also aim to build a community center where people can learn about coastal management and preservation. This opens the door to market Pangandaran and surroundings as an interesting eco tourism destination.

To achieve these goals, funds are needed. The initiative would boost tourism in the area and related businesses would benefit from this in the future. These businesses could lend a helping hand following the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility. The initiative of PPLP and the community is a perfect example of how to take life in your own hands and respond instead of react. Let’s be proactive too and help them rebuild.

To know more about WALHI’s and PPLP’s programs and coordination please contact: Rohadjie at rohadjie@yahoo.com.au  or call PPLP at +62 265- 631725

For more information on Pangandaran: Adam and Kirsten : +62 265 639343 or adamss@bdg.centrin.net.id 

By Muriel Ydo
BIWA - Bali International Women's Association