ISLAND-AID UPDATES + NEWS

Troppodoc Australia Raise over $12,000 for Medical Work

2009-02-24T08:58:00.006+09:00

Ian Cope (Troppodoc Aus) and Trina Minter put together a dinner auction fundraiser and more than 100 people turned up. The evening was a huge success and Dr Derek has now secured enough funding to continue his medical work in Telos for many months.

Dr Derek and I will continue to use our private time and money to complete the helicopter licensing process. Any donations to support this critical aspect of Troppodoc's work will be very welcome. Visit http://flying-doctor.collectivex.com

The fund-raiser is a great beginning for Troppodoc Australia and hats off to Ian, Trina and the rest of the support team for putting this together in such a fun and effective way.

Rick and Jane in Padang.

Troppodoc Australia Raise over $12,000 for Medical Work

2009-02-24T08:58:00.002+09:00

Flying Doctor Appeal - AU$12,408 Raised in Sydney

2009-01-05T16:51:00.013+09:00

Island Aid One of Three Grant Winners in Global Contest

2008-12-02T13:49:00.003+09:00

Central Desktop is one of the world's most popular web based business solutions with a user base of over 200,000 people.

PASADENA, CA--(Marketwire - November 27, 2008) - Central Desktop, Inc. today announced the winners of its Social Technology for Social Good Contest. Audubon Dakota, Island Aid and Imerman Angels will each receive one-year subscription grants to enable them to better interact, share and manage their daily work activities from anywhere at anytime through collaboration software company Central Desktop's pure web based social technology platform for next-generation teams.

"Choosing just three organizations was a really tough decision," said Isaac Garcia, CEO and Founder, Central Desktop, Inc. "Our social technology platform has the ability to support so many types of organizations that rely on grass-roots efforts and geographically dispersed teams of volunteers to get things done. We're just thrilled that we're in a position to help."

Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Central Desktop's platform will be used to strengthen Audubon Dakota's climate coalition team who are working in the fight to curb the effects of climate change. Audubon's collective actions toward global warming solutions range from climate legislation, to weatherization projects, renewable energy use, sustainability skill-shares, carbon credit programs, and more.

Imerman Angels matches cancer fighters and caregivers 1-on-1 with someone who has survived the same type of cancer for support. For free. Worldwide. Central Desktop's platform will be used to support their small team of three paid employees who need help managing the efforts of hundreds of geographically dispersed volunteers as well as their organization's outreach, PR, marketing, fundraising and operational activities.

Island Aid is a volunteer organization that utilizes an innovative ocean-based delivery network to provide emergency and long-term humanitarian assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. Their 'Sea-Bridge' remains the most effective solution for reconstruction support to tens of thousands of tsunami and quake survivors. Central Desktop's platform will be used to organize the hundreds of volunteers needed to support Island Aid's disaster relief efforts that include raising funds, organizing rescue and relief operations as well as internal projects to prepare for future disasters.

About Central Desktop
Central Desktop delivers a pure web based social technology platform for progressive business teams to interact, share and manage their daily work activities from anywhere at anytime. Built collaboratively over the last three years with direct feedback from its users, the Central Desktop platform provides enterprise-grade functionality without enterprise solution resource requirements. Used by over 200,000 people worldwide, Central Desktop's customers represent next-generation organizations with geographically dispersed teams that are committed to using innovative web 2.0 tools for business success.

Central Desktop serves organizations in technology, media, marketing and communications, professional services, architecture, design and many others. Central Desktop's social technology platform consistently delivers a 30% increase in productivity while decreasing the total cost of doing business.

Key Central Desktop customers include: The Barack Obama Presidential Campaign, WebCor Builders, iSoldit, Gymboree, NXTV, Chapters of the Project Management Institute and the California Office of HIPAA Compliance. Founded in 2005, Central Desktop is a privately-held company located in Pasadena, California. For more information, visit www.centraldesktop.com.

Kiwi Doctor in Daring Helicopter Rescue - Fundraiser Launched

2008-09-18T20:39:00.002+08:00

Sumatra - Remote West Coast Islands - Kiwi Doctor in Daring Helicopter Rescue.

On Tuesday May 20th 2008 Dr Allen received a urgent message from a Surf Charter boat Captain Matt Cruden ( Mangalui Indah ) informing him that a 35 year old surfer in the south Mentawai Islands had suffered an neck injury and was paralyzed from below his armpits. This is a very high level of paralysis and Dr Allen knew that the man was in danger of having his muscles for breathing paralyzed, and he would die.

An army helicopter based in Pekanbaru was unable to help as it was flying to another destination. Also, without fuel in Mentawais, the heli would take 5 hours to reach the charter boat as it would need to stop and refuel in Padang.

The Surf Charter boat could return to Padang port but this would take 20 hours and the motion of the sea might cause further damage to the broken neck and trigger respiratory failure. This was a life or death situation.

Dr Allen indicated that he had enough fuel to get to south Mentawai and maybe enough to get directly to Padang. So realizing the life and death nature of the problem, he flew to Sikakap in South Mentawi to meet the charter boat Barrenjoey. At the wharf, Dr Allen examined 35 yo Darren Longbottom and talked the situation over with 2 French doctors and an Australian insurance doctor via telephone. The medical consensus was that the patient needed immediate medical evacuation using the helicopter.

The boat captain agreed that the best chance of saving this man’s life was to ask Dr Allen to fly him by helicopter to Padang where there was a private jet medivac aircraft waiting to transport Mr Longbottom to Singapore. The boat captain was aware that the aircraft was not licensed to fly his passenger but the first concern was to save his life making best use of what ever facilities were available.

Mr Longbottom is 180 cm tall and 95 kg and it took some time to cut a back spinal board to size and to fit him comfortably and securely into the Robinson R22 helicopter. This was done, the helicopter, was refuelled and Dr Allen flew East to coastal West Sumatera and north along the coast toward Padang.

Unfortunately, securing Mr Longbottom into helicopter had taken quite some time and soon Dr Allen realized that he would not be able to fly directly to Padang because of failing daylight and heavy haze. Dr Allen made a late afternoon landing at Tarusan Cerokok and transported the patient to Padang international airport by local ambulance. The medivac aircraft departed for Singapore at 12 midnight and the patient is reported to be in stable condition in hospital but still paralysed from below the arm pits.

Dr Allen returned to the helicopter as soon as the medivac jet had departed and slept on the ground near the helicopter for security. The next day he spent at the Tarusan police station being interviewed/ interrogated, and also sleeping on concrete that night near the helicopter. The next day he spent at the helicopter being interviewed by Lanud officials and sleeping next to helicopter until he was able to arrange a truck to Lanud, Bandara Tabing after midnight.

Dr Allen is appealing for funding to continue the process of gaining Flight Approval. While the helicopter is held in Padang, Dr Allen will loose several days every time he needs to do maintenance work on the helicopter even though the work takes only 30 minutes to complete. Piston driven helicopters require regular engine starts to reduce the risk of corrosion and to comply with the manufacturers and NZ aviation authorities safety schedules. This requires Dr Derek to travel by boat and bus overland to Padang, a journey of 18 hrs one way every time he needs to check and maintain the helicopter. Every day spent in Padang is 50 sick people he is unable to see in Pulau Tello and surrounding islands. Some patients travel from outlying islands a long distance from Telos.

In Telos Dr Allen can take care of regular helicopter maintenance while continuing his medical assistance to the island community.

Of course Dr Derek Allen wants to fulfil the legal requirements of Indonesia and so enable this helicopter medical service to bring help to the communities in these poor and remote islands.
Darren Longbottom, the surfer that Dr Derek rescued, is recovering in Sydney. His story has been covered by Australian Surfing Life Magazine and his friends & local community have raised over A$160,000 to help the family. Derek was the unsung hero in all the media coverage to date and we think the world should know more about his amazing work and his bravery putting everything on the line to save Darren's life.

Dr Derek is helping remote island communities in the Mentawais, Telos and Nias islands where medical support is close to non-existent. The rescue has ironically put this vital work into jeopardy. Derek's helicopter is now impounded and his passport is being held by authorities. Derek needs help and he needs it fast! He has done nothing wrong.... in fact he did everything right! but rules are rules and he had to break a few to get the job done.

This appeal has been launched by friends of Troppodoc to raise funds so that a license can be arranged for the helicopter. Any surplus will be used to continue Derek's vital work in the islands. See http://flying-doctor.collectivex.com

Art Raffel Tickets - Support Island Aid and Win this Fine Work of Art

2008-03-21T09:49:00.004+09:00

"Flourish" by Robin Collins

For those who could not attend our concert, here is a creative way to help with the funding drive for Lautan Megah.

New York artist Robin Collins has donated this fine work of art to support Island Aid. You can purchase raffle tickets by donating $20 via our PayPal button on the website or by mailing cheques to our San Francisco office.

The raffle closes on the 15th of April so please spread the word. The painting is titled "Flourish" (4ft x 5ft) and it is conservatively valued at over $5,000.

Lautan Megah in Padang!

2008-03-21T08:17:00.004+09:00

After a "baptism by fire" delivery trip, Lautan Megah is anchored off Pulau Pisang directly in front of Island Aid headquarters in Padang. Weather conditions for the delivery were some of the worst in 40 years in Indonesia. A combination of multiple cyclones in the Indian Ocean and an extreme monsoon over South Asia generated very strong winds and destructive seas on both the north and south coasts of Java and Bali.

Shipping and interisland ferries were suspended for weeks and 200 village houses were lost on the north coast of Bali alone. The famous Kuta Beach in Bali was pounded by heavy seas and 30+ knot winds for periods of up to a week causing tidal flooding, sand drifts over roads and considerable damage to trees, vegetation and buildings near the beach.

Lautan Megah faced very rough seas in the Java Sea both on the first leg crossing from Sulawesi to Komodo and on the entire second leg up as far as Krakatau Volcano. Once we turned the corner of South Sumatra, the weather moderated and our run up the coast to the Mentawai Islands was a welcome relief. For more details of our voyage please visit The Engine Room.

Island Aid Concert - New York - January 27th

2008-01-21T19:15:00.000+09:00

Click on the concert flier to enlarge it.

On January 27, 2008, Aliza Weinman, our NYC representative for Island Aid and Adam Bailey, our recently returned Sweden representative for Island Aid will be hosting a benefit event at the Sage Theater, 711 7th Ave. (near 48th St) in New York City.

The multimedia event features a powerful and varied program of international entertainment, food, drink all set in a creative ambiance.

Island Aid has secured underwriting for this event from a source, who wishes to remain anonymous, but the underwriter has stipulated that all proceeds from ticket sales get forwarded for the specific purpose of financing Island Aid's new aid ship the KM Lautan Mega.

Tickets are $100 for a single, $150 for a couple, $300 for a table of six and two student tables for $120. Ticket purchase is covered under non-profit tax statutes.

Please be among those who support Island Aid in this essential program. Tickets can be purchased using the “Donations” link from the Island Aid website (please add your name clearly in the info box) or by emailing Ken, kenbarimurray@gmail.com

Fund Us At No Cost While You Search & Shop on-line.

2008-01-20T19:10:00.000+09:00

LAUTAN MEGA needs funding to operate and I would like to introduce a new piece of equipment we have just installed in the ENGINE ROOM. (our new working group where virtual & field volunteers meet and discuss ways to make Island Aid more effective and capable)

GiveStream is a new and unique on-line FUNDING GENERATOR. You can help Island Aid without spending anything at all just by telling others about our special ISLAND AID GiveStream page.

This elegant machinery puts ISLAND AID into the income stream of around 250 retail merchants, each of which generates a certain percentage as a donation direct to us following a successful purchase. The amount you will donate is stated transparently on every product purchase.

The ISLAND AID GiveStream Center also includes an easy to download toolbar with a built in product search engine for finding the very best deals by searching the web through Google, (all the while generating donations to the organization) You are not asked to do anything that you are not already doing every day…. just do it via our portal and help us without it costing you a cent.

If you tell enough other friends about this idea, ISLAND AID will be in a draw to be awarded upto $10,000 in matching donations from GiveStream.

Click here to make a difference from your own desktop just doing what you probably do many times every week.

Lautan Megah Reaches Bali

2008-01-19T19:22:00.001+09:00

After weeks of hard work, 10 Island Aid volunteer crew arrived in Bali at the end of a 1,000+ nautical mile voyage through eastern Indonesia. We are downloading images and preparing a journal for publication as soon as our team return home.

Tsunamis Stike in Steps - Education could Reduce Fear of Huge First Wave

2007-12-21T12:46:00.000+09:00

Stepped waves race towards this Swedish family in Phuket Dec 26th 2004. They all survived.
So did the anchored yachts.

The math of deadly waves
http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/23137/The_math_of_deadly_waves.html

February 21, 2006 - When Walter Craig saw the images of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami he felt compelled to act. So he grabbed a pencil and envelope and started calculating.

A little more than a year later, the mathematical analyst says that mathematics has a role to play in washing away misconceptions and myths about these deadly waves - and potentially saving lives.

"Predicting earthquakes is a grand challenge problem that's presently beyond us. But predicting a tsunami's potential based on these earthquakes is a doable problem and I think mathematicians can play an important role in this," says Dr. Craig, the Canada Research Chair for Mathematical Analysis and its Applications, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada.

"Mathematics is particularly well suited to defining the possibilities and limitations for a tsunami early warning system," says Dr. Craig. It's a conviction that's prompted him to co-organize the symposium on Tsunamis: Their Hydrodynamics and Impact on People at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in St. Louis, on Sunday, February, 19.

Dr. Craig studies the mathematical theory of wave equations that are derived from physics. In collaboration with colleagues he has applied these theories to scientific problems large and small, from the quantum mechanical oscillations of electrons to the cosmic waves that rippled through the newborn universe. But rarely, he says, does the mathematics of wave propagation meet a subject so full of immediate human importance as with understanding rogue waves.

Mathematics, he says, has a key role to play in dispelling mistaken assumptions about these waves. One such popular belief is that a tsunami's first wave surge is always the biggest.

"It's not necessarily the biggest crest in front," he cautions. "For example, in Sri Lanka the biggest crest was the third or fourth." In one case, he says, a vacationing British geologist at one Sri Lankan resort noted the initial modest, non-destructive surge and warned staff and tourists to clear the beach before the arrival of the larger, deadly surges.

Dr. Craig says that mathematical modelling of the Indian Ocean tsunami showed it to be close to what he calls a "classical wave packet" - the wave behaved in a manner very close to that predicted by mathematical theory. It followed the pattern of a group of waves travelling together as well as evolving in form as they crossed the ocean basin.

Because of differences in depth, the evolution of a tsunami is different in different ocean basins. For example, the Boxing Day tsunami travelled twice as fast in the deeper Indian Ocean than in the Andaman Basin. Tsunami waves are distinguished from ordinary wind-generated ocean waves by their great length between peaks, often exceeding 200 kilometres in the deep ocean, and by the long amount of time between these peaks, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.

It's the length and width of tsunamis, rather than their at-sea height that reveals their massive power. The Indian Ocean tsunami had a crest length of about 1,200 kilometres. The surges that inundated the Sri Lankan coast were parts of waves that were a stunning 100 kilometres from crest to trough, but in mid-ocean were less than one metre in amplitude.

"It's amazing to think about this. Even if the wave is only a metre high at mid-sea, this is a huge amount of water and it gives a sense of how much energy it's carrying," says Dr. Craig.

Another widely held belief about tsunamis that gets washed away with mathematical modelling is that the surge is always preceded by the tide going abnormally far out.

"This only happens about half the time," explains Dr. Craig. "It depends on the wavelength and whether it's the trough or crest of the wave that reaches shore first. In half the cases it's the surge that arrives first."

Dr. Craig acknowledges that for the most part geologists and tsunami experts have a strong practical understanding of how these giant waves behave. But, he says, given the paucity of real-world data on tsunamis, there are still many outstanding questions.

"To a first order of approximation the current modelling of a tsunami's evolution in mid ocean is very good," says Dr. Craig. "Nonetheless, there is much less known about the generation of tsunami waves, and about the amplification effects as they impact on coastal areas. These are not easy mathematical problems. Experimentally they're not seen very often, so it's still a question as to whether we're using the right equations to study them."

He's presently begun work with McMaster University mathematics colleagues Drs. Bartosz Protas and Nicholas Kevlahan to apply mathematical tools from meteorological forecasting to understand the generation of large tsunamis from major earthquakes. For example, some earthquakes generate large waves, while others of the same magnitude produce little or no wave response. Their approach will use hindcasting techniques - looking back over previous patterns to understand how we arrived at present conditions - to develop predictive computational models for tsunami sources.

While better advanced warning systems can help in many cases, Dr. Craig says his immersion in tsunami science has shown him that a tsunami's speed and power sometimes can defy an early warning system. With a wave traveling at 700 kilometres an hour, his advice is, "If you feel an earthquake, go to higher ground."

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Island Aid's New Support Vessel

2007-11-26T13:12:00.001+09:00

Message from Rick & Jane in Padang:

On September 12th & 13th 2007, three mega quakes bracketed the southern Mentawais generating a tsunami and causing widespread damage. Since then over 70 quakes of 4.5 or greater intensity have buffeted the area. Island Aid assisted aid deliveries via partner NGOs and Government agencies and later using Electric Lamb. Constrained by the lack of a suitable platform we stepped up our efforts to find an aid ship. In late September an associate came to us with a long and complex story about a purchase contract for a small ship that was in dispute. He offered Island Aid the chance to take over the contract for a 100GRT GRP vessel, the KM Lautan Megah (trans: Great Ocean).

KM Lautan Megah during sea trials last week off Luwuk.

Events have unfolded rapidly. Island Aid Director Chris Ranken flew to Jakarta and on the 8th of October he arrived in Luwuk in Sulawesi to secure copies of technical documents and to appraise the vessel's suitability. His report gave us the confidence to commit to sorting out the legal tangle surrounding the stalled purchase contract. On the 29th of October, Island Aid's lawyer, Pak Nasdion Chalid signed a new contract to purchase the Lautan Megah in Surabaya and we agreed to make the final payment owing to secure the vessel subject to inspection. Nasdion and I left for Luwuk on the 4th of November to inspect and sea trial the vessel.

We took possession on the 7th of November and Jane flew to Luwuk on the 11th to help with modifications. Jane and I arrived back in Padang on the 21st of November with renovation work well underway and Lautan Megah in seaworthy condition.

In just 3 months we have raised 25% of our target for funding the ship. Our target is to raise a total of US$200,000 to cover balance of purchase, modifications, delivery, docking and equipping the Lautan Megah for her new role.

Donors to date are:

- Talisman Energy- Jim Buckee
- Gerard & Loon Dijkstra

Jim has just retired from heading up Talisman Energy and we greatly value his advice and guidance. Gerard will be known to many in yachting circles in the US. He has been the lead consultant in the rebuilding of most of the early Americas Cup J Boats including Elizabeth Meyer's Endeavour II. Gerard's most recent commission was to design the stunning Maltese Falcon refit.

These donors and partners have made the acquisition of Lautan Megah possible and now we would like to cast our net wider and raise the balance of the funds. Our target is to find an additional 25% by the 26th of December, the anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami that bought us together to form Electric Lamb Mission. The balance of 50% we propose to raise by mid February to fund the modification and equipping of the ship.

Island Aid (as we are now known) now faces an unprecedented situation.

Seismic Synopsis

Note the 2007 quake cluster added by me to one of Cal Tech's maps. This is yet to be confirmed by the team who are studying the Sumatra Plate area. The Siberut /Telos area (between the 2005 and 2007 events) is now very highly loaded and overdue to slip. Observation and GPS monitoring confirm an alarming rate of subsidence on Siberut's East coast coupled with large creep measurements.

In the face of general paralysis and even complacency displayed by responsible institutions and inertia among the populations that are now at greatest risk, we must do all we can to prepare and find specific solutions for many isolated island communities who now face real and present danger. In the wake of the recent Mentawai earthquakes and tsunami, a great deal of reconstruction work lies ahead. The Mentawai & Telos Islands have some of the worst health statistics in all of Indonesia.

Early British explorers named the largest island, Siberut, "The Isle of Goed Fortuin" because of the abundance of natural resources enjoyed by the islanders. Since discovery by European traders, the Mentawais & Telos rich timber resources have been exploited by a succession of colonial interests and local administrations but very little of the island's wealth has been reinvested in the form of infrastructure.

There are almost no roads, no power grid, two tiny airstrips, and telecommunications are limited to a few larger towns. Limited medical facilities are out of reach of the vast majority of the population. The Mentawai - Telos archipelago stretches for over 320 nm, has a land area 50% greater than Bali and is home to over 100,000 people. Our new mission is clear.

Aceh and Nias proved the effectiveness of our sea bridge concept and we can now apply what we learned to achieve what others are not equipped to attempt.

Our strategy to enploy a small fuel efficient ship and a fleet of beach landing boats remains unchanged. The proximity of the Mentawais and Telos Islands to mainland ports argues for a smaller more nimble ship than the Batavia and we believe we have found the ideal platform in Lautan Megah.

We must be flexible and keep administrative overheads to the minimum. We will now need to employ crew and key staff but we have a clear and viable plan to not only support the ship operation but to generate a surplus that can be used for community work in the region.

Our focus in modifying the new ship will be to accommodate medical and first responder teams as well as carry as much hand loaded aid as possible. Once we have established the service and have a settled cash flow, we will investigate other vessels for heavy cargo work. Lautan Megah's passenger accommodation space, deck cargo and fuel capacity are more than adequate for the role we envisage in the Mentawai/Telos area.

To make an online contribution please visit our website www.island-aid.org and click the 'donate' buttons.

Supporters open to a more 'hands-on' long term involvement may make a 'soft investment' in the company we will establish to own the Lautan Megah. Soft investors may be corporations, individuals or groups who are able to make a minimum commitment of US$20,000 for a 10 year period interest and dividend free. Our target is to raise $200,000 from 10 subscribers for shares in the ship-owning company.

This type of 'soft investment' is not a tax deductible donation and sponsors/soft investors will be offered the option of prominent logo placement on the ship and on our website. We will work with soft investors to publish a custom corporate responsibility page featuring Island Aid activities onboard the ship and in target communities. In this way corporations or business people can utilize advertising or corporate responsibility budgets at low long term cost while conserving their capital.

I am preparing a more detailed proposal for circulation to interested parties but please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may be keen to be involved.

Warm regards

Rick & Jane in Padang

Electro-hydraulic variable pitch propellor controls, electro-hydraulic
Steering and autopilot station, radar, GPS, VHS, SSB. Built as a government
funded fisheries research vessel, no expense was spared.

Main engine is a Yanmah 6UA-UT 750 hp at 950 rpm
Cruise speed is 10.5knots at 650 rpm = 65 ltrs/hr total or 1.5 tons/day
(compare this with Batavia at 445ltrs/hr or 10.5 tons/day)

The hull is 30mm solid GRP. Decks are 40mm GRP/Balsa sandwich
All rails, funnel, vents and masts are stainless steel
Doors are watertight.

Ship builders in Luwuk installing new hardwood rails and bollards.

Carpenters working on the new convertible cargo/accommodation space

Island Aids new headquarters

OBI & MMTA REPORTS

2007-10-30T12:55:00.000+09:00

OBI aid delivery and OBI medical teams in Mentawai.
Attached is a detailed breakdown of the 57 villages/subvillages (dusuns) reached.

The 'packet' referred to in the list is a Family Packet weighing about 7 kg and containing a wide range of essential items, sugar, coffee, sambal, sardines etc
It was not considered necessary to deliver cooking oil as the area has ample coconut reserves and it is common for Mentawai people to render down their own oil.
Water is plentiful and just needs boiling. Wood fuel is plentiful for this task.

Main needs identified are tarps, tools and building materials in that order of importance.

Weather conditions have improved with good visibility. Swell is medium to heavy.

MMTA / Island Aid / FORMA Situation Report 22nd Sept 2007

Planned Distribution
Loading list for Katurai - South Siberut - Electric Lamb - Departure tonight
- 25 person tent for temporary school
- Family tents
- Noodles
- Rice
- Tarps
- Building materials
Quantities TBA

Aid Delivery to POSKO
2,500 Family tents donated by MEDCO have arrived and are being packed and prepared at POSKO
Large tent donated by TELKOM
Distribution in partnership with PEMDA Mentawai

OBI Field Trip - Report
OBI team returned from Muara Siberut this morning and have given us their full report.
Confirm supplies dropped in Sikakap and Muara Siberut.
Food and shelter plus Family Packs to 57 Dusuns (villages) in Central Pagai and South Siberut. (details to follow)

OBI Medical Teams
4 doctors and 3 nurses supported by MAF aircraft

Dusun Muara Siberut: 386 patients
Dusun Tailelue: 212 patients

Dusun Masubuk (Sikakap): 300 patients

Steps cut into the hills in Katurai area for fast evacuation to high ground

OBI_distribution0001.PDF

Aid Deliveries - Mentawai

2007-09-24T11:51:00.000+08:00

Island Aid's Aceh and Nias partners, Operation Blessings International were one of the first NGOs to arrive in Padang with substantial supplies. Obor Berkat Indonesia (their local chapter) mobilized a convoy of trucks from Medan and Jakarta to impacted areas in Bengkulu Privince and to Padang. After liason with MMTA volunteers, a cargo boat was arranged and loading and clearance expedited in Muara port.

22 tons of aid and we managed to get the boat out at 11pm on the 19th of September bound for Sikakap/Malakopa/Silabu/Betumonga area.

Aid includes 7.5tons of rice, 50 tarps, tikas, medical kits, 1,500 family packets (sugar/coffee/soap/candles/sardines/sambal/matches/torch)

OB also have a medical team in the area and more on the way. MAF are flying to Rokot airport after failing to land at the old airstrip at Sikakap (overgrown and unusable at this time)

MMTA / Island Aid Loading list - Beriloga Ferry yesterday (20th Sept) - Destination Sikakap

- 250 x 5 person tents courtesy of MEDCO
- 300 mattresses
- 20 large 20 person tents
- 150 tikas (mats)

One large truck with 2,500 cartons of noodles (40 meals per carton) arrived from MEDCO today. Waiting loading
We are expecting another delivery of 1,000 tents from MEDCO.

The 6.7 quake yesterday has made everyone in Padang very nervous. It was not the biggest but it was the closest so far to Padang and the shaking was severe.

Damage to buildings in Padang is far more widespread than is obvious from the street. Many buildings are definitely in a dangerous state with shear walls fractured and indications of subsidence. In many cases modern multi story buildings have suffered more than older 2-3 story buildings. Large glass areas or shuttered open shop fronts at street level result in almost no cross bracing on the street elevation and so all loads are concentrated on the back walls. That is where most of the damage is found and it cant be seen from the street.

Buildings that are oriented with long axis to aligned with the coast seem to have been damaged worse than those aligned perpendicular to the coast.

More images of damage to other towns:

Tua Pajet

Betumonga

Sikakap

Field reports > Mentawai operations.

2007-09-19T11:17:00.000+08:00

Yannick,

Like you we are frustrated by the lack of good maps. The Govt have them but we can not access them from Padang. Bear with us while we sort this out.

MMTA/Island Aid are working with FORMA manning the new POSKO in Muara harbor, Padang

We have a free phone for anyone to use courtesy of TELKOM.

Last night Island Aid's main Aceh partner, Obor Berkat loaded 22 tons of aid and we managed to get the boat out at 11pm bound for Sikakap/Malakopa/Silabu/Betumonga area.

Aid includes 7.5tons of rice, 50 tarps, tikas, medical kits, 1,500 family packets (sugar/coffee/soap/candles/sardines/sambal/matches/torch)

OB also have a medical team in the area and more on the way. MAF are flying to Rokot airport after failing to land at the old airstrip at Sikakap (overgrown and unusable at this time)

Malakopa is sometimes named Malakopak but most of your names are correct. We need a map!

Thanks for your patience and help.

Rick

On 19 Sep, 2007, at 5:57 AM, Cathay Seas travel consulting wrote:

Dear all,

Please find enclosed the latest Field reports, website updated as well : www.CathaySeas.com/rescue.htm

I cannot engage Cathay Seas in mapping the operations, by lack of a reliable 'base map' and absolutely 0 feedback regarding the accuracy of our previous m1 Overview map .
[United Nations Cartographic Section : any idea to cover the Mentawai archipelago at 1:50000 ?]

There's an interesting challenge here : how to achieve a reference document without information to achieve it ? I can work on the subject, but i guess it can't help to display the operations in real time. Too bad.

Keep the news coming, i am optimistic by nature and don't despair to solve the problem impromptu.

-Yannick.

*****************************************************************
Yannick, editor of www.CathaySeas.com
Cathay Seas :
China & South East Asia surfers.
****************************************************************

------ Original Meassage ------
From Cathay Seas
Tuesday, 19 september 10:00pm GMT

Padang is the logistics hub for aid delivery by boat.
Island Aid, Mentawai Marine Tousim Association (MMTA), Surf Aid International (+UNICEF +UN OHCA).
INDIES TRADER 1 ship awaiting to upload, among others (ships names ?).
Padang > Siberut = 10 to 12 hours trip.

500 basic tool kits + 500 basic shelter kits arrived in Sikakap from Padang (Surf Aid).
Distribution with local fishing boats + 01 surf charter ship (BLUE FIN or SURF CAT) planned
19 september in Silabu, Betumonga, Maigiruk, Tumale and Gogoa.

Regular ferry D'BORA leaving Padang 19 sept. evening (local time) to Tuapejat then Sikakap :
load of 500 basic tools and 500 basic shelter kits, "possibly hygiene kits".
D'BORA will deliver cargo to 3 villages/day between Malakopap - Surat Aban (end 26 sept. ?).

Surf Aid ship MELALEUCA leaving Padang 21 sept. evening (unconfirmed) towards Sinaka
then east coast through Makalo and back to Sikakap.

------ Original Meassage ------
From Cathay Seas
Tuesday, 18 september 09:30am GMT

Latest quake : 18 sept. 08:41am GMT : M5,7 @ 32km deep.
Send a message to <bigquake-subscribe@eqinfo.wr.usgs.gov>
to receive free e-mail *after* each earthquake above magnitude 5.5, worldwide.
This DOES NOT imply or deny human emergency, this is NOT tsunami warning.

Current needs : food, baby food, shelters, drinking water, reconstruction materials.
Most damage south and west coast Mentawai, few injuries, less 50 casualties.
Strong west winds and heavy rain.
Several ships of Surf Aid International docked in Padang, waiting to upload cargo (money, money, money).

*** Please confirm villages' location (which is where on which island ?) to update base map ***

SIBERUT ISLAND :
-Maguiruk (70 families) : 10% population evacuated thought no damage or injuries. Church damaged.

South Siberut :
-No news from Taileleu (05 dusuns including Kirit, Baddan and Maonai) : medic. staff onway from South Siberut
with supplies.

SIPURA :
-Tuapejat : distribution of 180 mosquito nets.
From Tuapejat, ditributing medications, food, tarpaulins to displaced population.
-Pukarakyat (57 homes) : 20% houses down, population in the hills "using banana leaves as shelters".
-Berimanua (60 houses) : 75% houses down.
-Katurai village (05 hamlets) -???-
-Hamlets of Katiet, Sao and Mongan Bosua are all empty as people have fled to the hills.
-No damage to the Quiksilver SurfAid Community Health Training Centre.

NORTH PAGAI (Pagai Utara) :
- Sikakap : PosKo (government Command Post), 120 houses destroyed.
First ship loaded with emergency supplies (Surf Aid) from Padang : ETA Tuesday morning, 18 September.
-Betumonga (90 families) : 80 % of homes uninhabitable, 14 houses down. Primary school down "including
chairs and tables".
- Silabu (Macas) over 50% of homes damaged beyond repair or submerged due to subsidance.
Surf Aid team on site with supplies.

SOUTH PAGAI (Pagai Selatan) :
- Malakopak (Thunders and Rags surf breaks) report 100% of homes unusable. 300+ families displaced.
-Tiop and Sarausau dusuns (hamlets) evacuated to higher ground behind the villages, population afraid to return home.
- Sinaka (Hole and Lighthouses) 6 homes remain useable.
- Seai Lama (50 families) : light damage but population afraid to go back inside. 12 mosquito nets could be
distributed only, no tarpaulins, tents nor food.
FOOD SUPPLIES DEPLETED.

-----Original Message-----
From: Cathay Seas
Sent: Friday 14 september 2007 08:00pm GMT

PERMANENT TSUNAMI ALERT recomended.

Siberut, Sipura, Pagai Utara, Pagai Selatan in need of assessment on the west coasts.
Next days strong NW winds : all ships / light shelters beware.

(read also below for a complete picture)

IDEP Foundation from north Bengkulu :
- provide temporary shelters to 500 homeless families in the districts of Lias + Air Sebakul, north of Bengkulu.
5.500 houses are reported damaged in the area, lightly or severly. 123 houses are down.
- set up public kitchens for 3 daily meals x 2.000 people.(6.000 meals /day)
- provide 5.000 liters of drinking water by truck to distant communities, 3 times a day. (15.000 liters /day)
- attend 100 wells for direct use by the locals.

UHF frequencies in use between teams.

-----Original Message-----
From: Cathay Seas
Sent: September 13, 2007 10:00pm GMT

Cathay Seas suggest to be on PERMANENT TSUNAMI ALERT until risk is really reduced.
Watch for quick receding sea on shores, roaring sound, strong earth shakes.

Coastal populations moved inland and to altitude from Padang to Bengkulu.
High rate of road accidents due to heavy traffic of stressed people.
On any single place, maximum 30% damage reported so far (damage = unsafe for living) .

NIAS & north : no damage
SIBERUT : East coast light damage, heavy damages in Sikakap due to tsunami (height ?).
WEST COAST NO CONTACT
(MENTAWAI) : Tua Pajet city + Sipura 30% hard buildings unsafe, wood structures OK.
Several tourism / surf resorts damaged on masonry but no injuries or major destruction.
PAGAI isl. : 03 meters tsunami. NO CONTACT from south coast
BENGKULU : high damage but out of reach from our core area of reach. 09 killed, 40 injured so far.

PADANG :
BMC hospital unsafe, evacuated. Patients outside in streets. 6 died by lack of medic care.
Padang Arau (Sumatran Surfariis headquarters) has walls cracked but still fine.
Bumi Minang hotel fractured, unsafe.
Pangaran Beach hotel OK.
Rocky plaza hotel doubtful.
Plaza Ramayana closed until destruction.
Plaza Andalas unsafe.

Fuel availability OK.
Water OK.
Some shops open.
Electric power OK but shuts down after every little shake (fire risk).
Port operational.

Helicopter of Heli Doc grounded because no administrative flight authorization.

[check also the Directory on www.CathaySeas.com]

Quakes Rock Indonesia; Experts Warn of 'Big One'

2007-09-15T20:50:00.000+08:00

September 14, 2007
AP

PADANG, Indonesia (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes has terrorized residents in western Indonesia — including another one that triggered a fresh tsunami warning Friday — leaving thousands sleeping on plastic in the hills and each new aftershock triggering a fresh round of panic.

Seismologists warn the worst may be yet to come.

Photo: A motorist passes a damaged road along the coastal area of Ketahuan, Indonesia's Bengkulu province, Friday. Indonesia's meteorology agency issued a tsunami warning on Friday after another strong earthquake struck southern Sumatra island. (By Crack Palinggi, Reuters)

Kerry Sieh, from the California Institute of Technology, has spent decades studying the volatile fault line. He is one of several experts predicting a repeat of the massive earthquake that triggered the 2004 Asian tsunami, which killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen Indian Ocean nations.

"No one can say whether it will be in 30 seconds or 30 years," he said. "But what happened the other day, I think is quite possibly a sequence of smaller earthquakes leading up to the bigger one."

An 8.4-magnitude quake that shook Southeast Asia on Wednesday was followed by dozens of strong aftershocks — including one measuring magnitude 7.8 and another 7.1 — that killed 13 people, damaged hundreds of houses and spawned a 10-foot-high wave.

A 6.4-magnitude temblor hit the area again on Friday, triggering the latest in a string of tsunami warnings that have further traumatized people living in coastal communities. Hundreds fled inland by foot, motorcycle and truck before the alert was lifted.

The wall of water that slammed into several fishing villages along Sumatra island's coast Wednesday swept away nearly a dozen houses, but overall damage was "minimal," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after an Air Force aerial survey.

Photo: An Indonesian woman weeps outside her house that was destroyed by an earthquake on Sumatra island, Indonesia, Friday. (By Dita Alangkara, AP)

A nine-member U.N. assessment team reached the same conclusion after visiting the area, saying that a major international relief operation was not required, John Holmes, the U.N.'s emergency relief coordinator, said in a statement from New York.

Many people said a public awareness campaign launched after the 2004 tsunami paid off, including warnings issued over mosque speakers and training provided by local officials on how to escape a disaster.

"When the earth started shaking, some people yelled, 'It's time to go up the hill ... let's get going," said Fadil, 35, a father of two, describing how he and hundreds of neighbors watched from above as the 10-foot wave approached. Hundreds of houses were damaged, but no one died.

Elsewhere, however, electricity blackouts prevented some sirens from going off.

The three massive quakes — together with the 9.0-magnitude temblor in 2004 and a 8.7 tremor in early 2005 — deeply concerns experts.

The fault, which runs the length of the west coast of Sumatra about 125 miles offshore, is the meeting point of the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates, which have been pushing against each other for millions of years, causing huge stresses to build up.

"There is a strong indication this foreshadows the big one," said Danny Hillman, an earthquake specialist at the Indonesian Institute of Science. "We all agree there is an 8.5 or stronger earthquake waiting to happen."

That's exactly what residents along Sumatra's western coast, which is expected to bear the brunt of the next disaster, are worried about. The island was hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the deaths.

In the tiny fishing village of Sungai Pisang, just south of the badly damaged city of Padang, hundreds of people were too scared to return home after the recent tremors sent a large wave washing into their bay.

At a camp pitched on a muddy hillside cemetery, they have been sleeping atop plastic sheets or on the cold ground between graves. A small generator powers a light bulb, hung over branches in the thick tropical undergrowth, but there is little else.

"I am very afraid of another tsunami," said Dasima, a 50-year-old rice farmer who fled with her 7-year-old grandson, Rolin. "We only cook our rice in the town and then return here to eat and sleep. We will stay here until we feel it is safe."

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, with a population of 235 million people, is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-14-indonesia-quake_N.htm

Current Indonesian Shakers

Mag. 5.0 Sept. 14 06:01:34 -4.108 101.220 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA

Mag. 6.4 Sept. 14 06:01:34 -4.108 101.220 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA

Mag. 5.4 Sept. 14 04:03:44 -2.179 100.088 29.3 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 14 03:07:14 -3.010 101.083 39.2 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 4.8 Sept. 14 02:34:51 -0.466 98.141 21.5 KEPULAUAN BATU
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 14 01:31:57 -3.757 100.759 27.5 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 14 01:02:06 -3.696 101.845 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.3 Sept. 13 23:12:31 -3.108 100.971 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 18:30:38 -2.565 99.763 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 16:59:26 -2.118 99.978 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 6.2 Sept. 13 16:09:09 -3.247 101.439 3.3 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.6 Sept. 13 15:08:54 -4.354 101.212 24.5 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 18:30:38 -2.565 99.763 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 16:59:26 -2.118 99.978 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 6.2 Sept. 13 16:09:09 -3.247 101.439 3.3 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 13 13:43:58 -2.998 100.215 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.6 Sept. 13 13:10:15 -2.786 100.863 28.7 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 12:12:59 -3.691 100.694 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 11:57:17 -2.034 99.434 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 6.2 Sept. 13 09:48:43 3.794 126.411 21.9 KEPULAUAN TALAUD
Mag. 5.4 Sept. 13 09:21:35 -2.164 99.748 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 4.8 Sept. 13 08:01:56 -2.773 100.292 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 06:32:48 -2.072 99.405 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 06:28:51 -2.029 99.383 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 13 05:53:23 -3.979 100.553 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 4.9 Sept. 13 05:48:44 -3.988 100.511 24.5 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 05:44:14 -3.735 100.706 2.8 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 05:23:24 -1.686 99.717 38.9 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 04:06:10 -1.723 99.567 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 7.0 Sept. 13 03:35:26 -2.160 99.581 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 02:51:31 -2.049 99.790 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.9 Sept. 13 02:30:01 -1.639 99.697 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 01:55:44 -3.869 101.629 10.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 01:49:04 -2.331 99.404 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 01:38:05 -1.902 99.734 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.8 Sept. 13 01:26:33 -2.039 99.730 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 7.9 Sept. 12 23:49:04 -2.506 100.906 30.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 12 23:19:44 -4.082 100.907 10.0 SOUTHWEST OF SUMATRA
Mag. 5.4 Sept. 12 22:17:17 -2.897 100.757 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 12 22:02:23 -4.609 101.280 10.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.3 Sept. 12 17:04:33 -7.598 126.085 307.3 KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA
Mag. 5.9 Sept. 12 16:37:01 -3.142 101.377 21.2 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 12 15:35:08 -4.262 101.008 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 6.0 Sept. 12 14:40:02 -3.227 101.361 18.8 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 4.9 Sept. 12 14:04:57 -4.239 101.196 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.3 Sept. 12 13:17:17 -3.308 100.654 32.8 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.6 Sept. 12 13:02:07 -2.946 101.352 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 12 12:21:44 -2.667 100.318 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 8.4 Sept. 12 11:10:26 -4.521 101.370 30.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Maps/region/Australia_eqs.php

Quakes Intensify and Move Into Mentawai Islands

2007-09-13T15:14:00.000+08:00

After the 8.4 (revised from 7.9) quake yesterday evening our area has experienced 16 strong earthquakes. The most recent struck at 10.31am and registered 7.1 on the central west coast of Sipura. Five of the quakes have exceeded 7.1 and at least two have triggered tsunamis.

The quakes started in the Bengkulu/Enganno area 250 nm south of Padang and they have progressively moved north west.

Bengkulu suffered severe damage to buildings and at latest count the number killed stands at 9 persons.

Several buildings in Padang have collapsed killing one person. A large mall was severely damaged and partially burned due to electrical shorts resulting from last nights quake. Many buildings have been severely cracked and are not considered safe. Most of the coastal population have evacuated their homes and have moved to high ground.

Most domestic and international airlines have suspended flights to Padang. SMA have suspended flights to Mentawai until the condition of the Rokot airstrip can be assessed. Mandala are operating limited flights.

There is still no news from large sections of the west coast between Padang and Bengkulu. The south end of Pagai Island will have taken the full force of the tsunami and there are no reports from that area.

Sikapap in Pagai was damaged by a 3 m tsunami that has destroyed homes and shops along the waterfront. Food supplies have been lost and help has been requested by boat.

Charter boat operators have moved to anchor in deep water. Most have now reported that their boats are safe but some passengers had lucky escapes.

While there have not been any fatalities in the islands to date, communities are traumatized and many have lost homes, boats and businesses near the coast. Most fear returning to the coast and families are living on hill tops or slopes. Tarps are urgently needed for temporary shelter.

Donations will be used to purchase family buckets, tarps, building material and to mobilize boats to help in the area.

Padang Shaken - Some Structural Damage - Tsunami Warning Issued

2007-09-12T20:40:00.000+08:00

A major quake has caused serious damage to homes near the coast around Bengkulu about 200nm south of the Mentawai Islands.

Padang buildings have suffered mild to severe physical damage. The population are on high alert and expecting after shocks. At least two buildings have collapsed and one person has been killed.

We have had reports of buildings collapsing in Bengkulu and people along the coast have evacuated to high ground.

Island Aid are attempting to contact family and friends in the coastal city to lean more about the damage.

Magnitude 7.9

Date-Time

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 11:10:23 UTC
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 06:10:23 PM at epicenter

Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location

4.519°S, 101.346°E

Depth

10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program

Region

SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Distances

105 km (65 miles) SW of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia

385 km (240 miles) SW of Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia

385 km (240 miles) WSW of Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia

605 km (375 miles) WNW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia

Anniversary Gift for Siraha

2007-03-31T15:52:00.000+08:00

March 28th marked the 2nd anniversary of the mega quake that devastated Nias and Dr Fasa just called with some amazing news. It seems that a Catholic charity group learned about the plight of Siraha village from our web-blog story "Saved by the Windship" (April 2006)

............."The March 28 quake dropped a 150m wide section of the village (Dusun Siraha) straight down at least 50m. Most of the trees are still standing but they are all skewed at crazy angles. A few houses lie almost intact but 7 were swallowed by the earth and there is no sign of them.

Miraculously only 2 people died and they described their descent as slow enough for them to run to hang onto trees as the earth buckled and fractured all around. The visual impact is difficult to capture with a camera. The rift subsidence extends several kilometers to the east and then curves past the village to the west.

Sheer walls of gravel and clay overlook the jumbled landscape that has dropped vertically without any sign of a land slide or horizontal displacement. An unforgettable sight and one this community must now live with and reconcile with their future".........

The story of our helicopter medivac of critically ill Hulu Hukkubah and the extraordinary damage suffered by this small community inspired Charitas to raise funds for a long term project that involves re-building all the houses destroyed in the quake, a new 9km road & 2 huge bridges.

To grasp the enormity of this task is just not possible unless you have trekked up through the mountains and ravines to reach this mountain top community. We will monitor and report on progress. The Caritas head quarters have been established next to Dr Fasa's clinic in Gomo township and he will send us images regularly.

Talang Volcano Eruptions Raise Alert

2007-03-20T17:41:00.000+09:00

Last years eruption of Talang resulted in
the evacuation of over 25,000 villagers

Tuesday the 20th of March:
An significant explosive eruption sent ash from 800 to 1,000m above the summit of Mount Talang (2,580m) early this morning . Activity has been building since the March 6th earthquakes along the Sumatran fault. Merapi Volcano 50m north of Talang is also showing signs of increased activity.

Volunteers Aid Quake Victims

2007-03-20T15:34:00.000+09:00

A team of up to 12 Island Aid volunteers spent the past week assisting Sumatran quake victims in the hardest hit areas. In Gunung Rajo and Aie Angek over 90% of homes are damaged beyond repair. Our volunteers distributed food and water, tools and tarps to 3 villages and prepared detailed reports.

Our reports have been forwared to IOM and they have assured us that blankets and tarps will be sent to the high altitude villages first. Most residents are living outside under open sided tarps and the area has been experiencing strong winds and heavy rain.

Almost every school in the area has been destroyed and most rice milling plants as well.

Temperatures at 1,500m can drop to below 12 deg and families are reporting that children are suffering from respiritory problems and dysentry. Water suppies and food staples are adequate but the cost of reconstruction is daunting for the areas farming community.

Padang Rocked by 6.3 Quake

2007-03-06T17:27:00.000+09:00

Region: WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 0.536S, 100.498E
Magnitude: 6.3 Mw
Depth: 30 km
Universal Time (UTC): 6 Mar 2007 03:49:41
Time near the Epicenter: 6 Mar 2007 10:49:41
Local time in your area: 6 Mar 2007 03:49:41

Location with respect to nearby cities:
49 km (30 miles) NNE (20 degrees) of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
159 km (99 miles) SW (222 degrees) of Pekanbaru, Sumatra, Indonesia
312 km (194 miles) SE (143 degrees) of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
424 km (264 miles) WSW (242 degrees) of SINGAPORE

Padang city was largely spared serious damage but the mountain towns of Padang Panjang, Batusangkar and Solok have been seriously hit with many buildings reported to have been totally destroyed.

Aftershocks continue and the death toll is over 58 according to latest reports from the field. Island Aid volunteer Ali Nurdin is in the worst hit area and reporting back to Island Aid headquarters. All our staff have reported in safe. No tsunami was generated and the Mentawai islands appear to be undamaged.

We will update as more news comes in from the field.

Your donations will assist us to send field teams into the worst hit areas.
Please visit our 'donations' page for options.

Offers for help from past partners and others are coming in by the hour. We are not yet sure of the requirements in the field but welcome your registration via e-mail or our volunteer page.

Enawati and Sotarian Back in Gomo.

2006-12-19T06:12:00.000+09:00

The girls are finally reunited with their families in Gomo and Dr Fasa says they everyone is very excited by the dramatic improvement in their freedom of movement and general enthusiasm for life.

Dr Fasa is arranging for both girls to attend a special boarding school in Medan to help them catch up with the education they have missed as a result of their burns and treatment. We are launching a new appeal on fundable to pay their final medical bill and to help with living and travel expenses.

Heart felt thanks from the girls and their families to all the donors and volunteers who have changed their lives. Zach, Chris and Lisa in particular have made extraordinary efforts and everyone at Island Aid would like to thank you and your families and friends for their kindness and hard work. The girls will now have a Christmas to remember with their family and friends.

Enawati's scars are still terrible but she can move her head and arms freely. To remind you of how bad her situation was please visit http://www.gomogirlsfund.com/ and take a look a the video of her burns before the operation.

Dr Fasa Visits Padang

2006-12-19T05:24:00.000+09:00

After weeks of waiting for an opportunity to travel from Gomo to Padang, Dr Fasa finally made it yesterday morning. He is now the proud owner of a MacBook laptop and software donated by Lisa Friesen and friends via Island Aid. Dr Fasa spend all day at Island Aid HQ learning how to operate the computer and managed to download all his images and send them by e-mail on his first try. "This is so easy.... I always had so much trouble to send images to people... thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Special thanks to Lisa and family for raising the funds for the computer. It has taken a while to get it safely into Dr Fasa's hands but he insisted on picking it up in person to avoid any risk that it might not make it my mail or package delivery to his remote village. UNDP have set up a hot spot at the local village administration office and Dr Fasa is looking forward to contacting all his donors and friends to keep them updated on progress in his area.

Inland Quake Kills 4 in North Sumatra

2006-12-19T05:09:00.000+09:00

Jakarta, Dec 18 (DPA) A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's north and west Sumatra provinces Monday morning, killing at least four people and damaging a number of homes, officials said.

The quake occurred at about 4:39 a.m. local time (2139 GMT Sunday), 47 km underground, said Fauzi, an official at Aceh's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency.

A resident of north Sumatra's Mandailing Natal district told Jakarta's Elshinta private radio station that at least four people were killed by the quake, one house collapsed and many others were damaged.

10 minutes before the Mandailing quake, a 5.7 quake struck just west of Pulau Raya, Aceh. No reports of damage or injury have been received at this point.

The Mandailing quake was felt strongly in Maninjau and Bukittinggi areas but it was hardly noticed in Padang.

Indonesia, the world largest archipelago nation, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.

On December 2004, a magnitude 9.0-quake generated a tsunami that devastated coastlines around the Indian Ocean and left more than 220,000 people dead or missing.