Update on Earthquake and Tsunami in Indonesia

On Friday, September 28, 2018 at 5:02pm, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, triggering a tsunami. At last report, more than 2,000 people have been counted dead and over 4,600 injured, while approximately 1,300 remain missing and more than 222,000 are displaced.

World Vision has programs in the area, and the Palu community, where Canadians sponsor 2,000 children, has been impacted. Thanks to the unwavering commitment and efforts of our emergency response staff, 100% of sponsored children in the region have now been now accounted for. However, we are deeply saddened to report that some of our sponsored children’s lives have been impacted. Please join us in mourning their loss and praying for their families.

World Vision has been working rigorously to provide support to those in need—particularly children and mothers—reaching over 17,000 people with nutrition, child protection, water, sanitation and shelter assistance.

• Over 1,000 children have been receiving regular psychological support at child-friendly spaces set up by World Vision.

•  More than 900 families have benefited from food distributions.

• Over 600 families have received shelter and hygiene kits.

• More than 500 families now have clean water.

Donate now to help vulnerable children and their families affected by this crisis with life-saving essentials like food, hygiene kits and more.

World Vision is continuing to work alongside the government, providing immediate needs for the most affected children and families with a special focus in health, nutrition and children protection.

All regular sponsorship activities, such as sponsor correspondence, Special Gifts and sponsor visits, have been put on hold in Palu until further notice.

For more information, please call us at 1-800-654-2650.
 

In 2015, a report from UNICEF showed that child mortality rates had significantly dropped in Indonesia. Improvements were attributed to the work of many development agencies, including World Vision. These agencies have partnered to upgrade health for children by providing immunizations, treating childhood diseases and encouraging breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.

Ensuring children in Indonesia are safe and cared for continues to be a focus for World Vision. Abuse, bullying and gender-based violence threaten millions of boys and girls in this island nation. Our work includes teaching children, teachers, faith leaders and parents about children’s rights and ensuring that systems are in place to report and stop cases of abuse.