Saved from the tsunami

A grandmother says God has given her ‘the chance to live’, after the deadly earthquake and tsunami hit her village in Indonesia.

On 28 September the 7.5 magnitude quake struck the island of Sulawesi, bringing down buildings and severing communication networks. In some areas the ground turned to liquid as sea water swept through towns and villages. Eye witnesses described whole buildings sinking into the ground.

Ana, aged 70, from Jono Oge on Sulawesi told staff at one of Tearfund’s partners: 

‘I didn’t think I would survive the mud. But God gave me the chance to live and to be with my children and grandchildren. I hope there will never be such a disaster again. I hope we can still have food to survive while we wait for a house to live in, and that life can be normal again.’

Little shelter

The official death toll stands at 2,010 (as at 9 October), with more still missing. Many of those who have survived are now living in makeshift shelters.

Aziz is a 42-year-old father of four. He and his family, including his mother-in-law who was injured in the earthquake, are living under a simple tarpaulin.

‘Life is very difficult, but if we can have food to eat every day, and a better place to live, I think we can still survive.’ he says.

An estimated 200,000 survivors like Ana and Aziz are in urgent need of food, clean water, medical care and shelter.

Into action

Tearfund, as part of the Disasters Emergency Committee, has launched an appeal for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

We are working with a network of Indonesian churches and partners to provide temporary shelter and emergency kitchens, and have deployed medical teams, including an orthopaedic surgeon and a midwife.

Without a swift humanitarian response and unless water and sanitation facilities are reestablished there is a high risk of disease outbreaks, especially now that Indonesia is entering a season of heavy rain.

Please pray and give to support our work.

PRAYER FOCUS:

• Pray for the people who have lost loved ones, homes and hope following the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia. May support reach them as soon as possible.

• Ask God to be with the local authorities and rescue teams who are trying to find survivors and bring much-needed aid.

• Thank God for the generosity of people who have given to the Indonesia Tsunami Appeal. Pray that these gifts will go on to make a huge difference among those who need help the most, and as quickly as possible.

Banner photo: Lewis Inman/ DEC