USA Today: Tsunami in Indonesia
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia followed by a tsunami that struck Palu, a city of more than 300,000. The disaster killed more than 1300 and displaced tens of thousands more with survivors desperate for food, water and supplies. The numbers are expected to rise. “Relief workers are mobilizing to help devastated areas and rescue teams are desperately hunting for survivors in the aftermath,” reports Susan Miller for USA Today. “Conditions in the hard-hit city of Palu on the coast are particularly difficult because the quake caused a phenomenon called liquefaction, which occurs when loose water-filled soil near the surface collapses, said the country's disaster agency spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.” All this comes about two months after another earthquake-tsunami struck Lombok Island and killed 400. Preparation for such disasters saves lives. Individuals and communities in well-known earthquake zones around the globe should prepare with communications, food and water, training, improved building standards and reduced coastal development. The USA Today article also provides a list of aid agencies. – YaleGlobal
USA Today: Tsunami in Indonesia
Preparation for disasters like Indonesia earthquake saves lives: communications, food and water, training, building standards and reduced coastal development
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Read the article from USA Today about the earthquake-tsunami in Palu, Indonesia.
Susan Miller is breaking news editor for USA Today.
Also, read an article from the Borgen Project about efforts to achieve global earthquake preparedness and a global earthquake monitor from Volcano Discovery.
Some aid agencies:
- Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid group, is working with the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance, which overseas international disaster relief in Southeast Asia, on assessing health needs in the hard-hit areas. The group will target treatment of trauma injuries, waterborne diseases, respiratory issues and infections from puncture wounds and lacerations caused by rubble.
- UNICEF, the United Nation’s Children’s Fund, is working with authorities to reunite separated children with families, provide clean water through mobile water treatment and support infant and child feeding.
- The Indonesian Red Cross, working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has search and rescue teams, medical workers, ambulances and water trucks on the ground. The agency is also providing blankets, tarps and sleeping mats.
USA Today
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