German Foreign Ministry supporting aid workers from 'Aktion Deutschland Hilft' (The German Relief Coalition)
Bonn, 5th October 2009 - "People are sheltering in front of every house, whether destroyed or half standing, under emergency plastic sheeting or in makeshift shelters to protect themselves from the torrential rain" reports Moritz Wohlrab, Media Coordinator for Aktion Deutschland Hilft, the German Relief Coalition, from Sumatra. The destruction is particularly bad in the region around Padang: according to the information relayed by the aid workers, 70 percent of the homes there are no longer standing. CARE Emergency Aid Coordinator Adije Fachrurrazi reports: "We have had constant heavy rain for the last six hours. The survivors are living outdoors and sleeping rough. They don't have any accommodation and tell me to "Count the houses that are still standing instead of the ones that aren't, that way it will be quicker and easier."
In addition to medical care and the provision of drinking water, the aid workers from Aktion Deutschland Hilft are primarily focusing on the distribution of the tents and tough plastic sheeting which are currently helping to provide the affected people with emergency accommodation.
The aid workers have praised the quality of their cooperation with the Indonesian government and are holding regular discussions with its coordination point for disaster management. The German Foreign Ministry is supporting the aid work provided by 'Aktion Deutschland Hilft' organisations with 800,000 Euros of funding.
Aktion Deutschland Hilft is appealing for donations to assist with the provision of humanitarian relief to the victims of the Sumatra earthquake:
Note to news editors: Moritz Wohlrab is currently interview partner of Aktion Deutschland Hilft in Padang, please direct all enquiries to the press office! We will also be pleased to provide you with our photo images.
Further information can be found at http://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de
Appeal for funds
Keyword: Disasters in South East Asia
Donation account 10 20 30, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft, Sort Code 370 205 00
IBAN: DE29370205000008322501
BIC: BFSWDE33XXX
Donation hotline: 0900 55 102030 or online https://ssl.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/spenden/spenden.php
Short profile of Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V.
Germany's Relief Coalition „Aktion Deutschland Hilft" was formed in 2001 by ten renowned German humanitarian aid organisations. The coalition's aim is to combine their members' individual knowledge, experience and resources to provide fast and more efficient relief after major disasters and emergencies.
The association appeals for joint action in cases of catastrophes under the joint donation account 102030 at the Bank für Sozialwirtschaft in Cologne.
Contact:
Press office
Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V.
Tel. +49 (0) 228/ 242 92 - 222
Fax: +49 (0) 228/ 242 92 - 199
E-mail: presse@aktion-deutschland-hilft.de
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Indonesian army soldiers carry a body through the earthquake-ravaged village of Tandikat, Indonesia's West Sumatra province October 5, 2009. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez (INDONESIA ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) ...
