Two massive quakes rocked Indonesian Sumatra on Tuesday and Wednesday about 50 km from the coastal city, Padang with a population of 900,000. An earlier tsunami warning was quickly lifted. This is the third serious earthquake to hit Indonesia in less than a month.

The official death toll could well exceed one thousand; over 300 have already been confirmed dead. Hospitals have crumbled along with at least 500 other buildings. There is chaos on the streets as rescue workers dig for survivors. Power is yet to be restored which makes communications and reporting on the situation very slow and difficult.

World Vision does not have projects in area but sent an assessment team to the area on the first flight available and within 12 hours of the quake. World Vision Indonesia has allocated US$250,000 toward initial assistance and is preparing 2000 family kits.

The current appeal target for the West Sumatra quake appeal is for US$1 million. This could rise considerably in the coming days as the full extent of the needs and damage is revealed.

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Indonesian earthquake: World Vision’s relief operations underway in West Sumatra (05/10/2009)
World Vision’s relief operations are underway in West Sumatra, with the first of seven trucks carrying emergency kits arriving in Padang last night (3 October).

World Vision Relief Convoy En Route to Quake-Ravaged Padang (02/10/2009)

Indonesia: West Sumatra reeling (02/10/2009)

World Vision gears up for aid response after 7.6 quake rocks Indonesian Sumatra (01/10/2009)

Idris (12) is one of the quake survivors. He was taking his English course lesson when the earthquake struck.

“There were 15 students in my class. All of my classmates were able to escape from the building as our class was in the 1st floor.
 
I was separated from my friends when we ran. I even left my bag and half of my sandal. When the strong tremor occurred, we already stayed outside. We were shaken just like a kite! I felt afraid. We used to experience earthquake before, but this one was far even harder!

I don’t know if any of my friends died, but I heard there are some children still missing.

Gama is a training center for elementary and junior high school students. In the 3 story-building, there are 12 classes where each of them consisted of about 20 children.

There are 40-50 children still trapped under the rubble. “Most of them were trapped on the stairs, it seems they were trying to escape, but it was too late. The building had already collapsed,” said a freelance journalist from the spot.

Robi, 24, lives in Alang Lawes area in Padang. Together with the other community members in Alang Lawes area, he helped to evacuate the children only 30 minutes after the earthquake hit. Working until 3am, he was able to evacuate 19 bodies, where 5 of them died on his lap. “Some were even asking me for food and drinks, before they died,” Robi said sadly. We can only evacuate 19 children. It would be too risky if we continued the evacuation effort, as we might destroy the whole building,” he said. Most of the survivors were carried to M. Jamil hospital.

 

Gema (7) and his brother Gilang (6) sitting in front of the biggest shopping center in Padang ‘Plaza Andalas’ that was severely affected by the earthquake yesterday. Their mother Elimarni said that her family used to visit the shopping center frequently before it collapsed. “The children felt sad losing their favourite spot to play,” said the mother of 4. “I heard that there are at least 13 people died, trapped in the plaza,” she added.

Elimarni added that her house in Paulima area in Padang town was also affected by the quake. “There are some cracks on the wall,” she said. In her neighborhood, there are many houses damaged.