The team is expected to fly out with two compact filtration systems of the Skyhydrant type. They can secure the basic needs of around 2,200 people and are thus intended to avert the imminent danger of water-related diseases. If necessary, the team will implement further emergency measures, for example in the field of sanitation.
Our two colleagues from the emergency team are specialists in logistics and water supply in disaster areas. Following a needs assessment on the ground, they will install our processing facilities and take further humanitarian action. (Carmen Paradiso, arche noVa Foreign Programme Director)
In view of the scale of the disaster, cooperation with national and international partner organisations is indispensable. arche noVa cooperates closely with the alliance partner Arbeiter Samariter Bund of "Aktion Deutschland Hilft".
A double disaster on Sulawesi
On 28 September, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale shook the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and triggered a six-metre-high tsunami wave. The east coast of the island was hit along with the city of Palu, where the shocks caused many buildings to collapse. Initial local reports confirm the enormous need for drinking water supply.
According to the regional coordination office "AHA Centre", the number of fatalities is 1,200 and more than 48,000 people have had to leave their homes due to natural disasters. Many of them have been waiting in refugee centres for days. The full extent of the losses and damage remains unclear in many towns and villages. The access roads and communication possibilities are not yet free. A total of around 1.5 million people need support. There is a lack of water, food, fuel and medicine.
The Government requesting international assistance
The Indonesian Government has made an international request for assistance. At present, international aid organisations are still waiting for the request for assistance to be specified and confirmed so that the deployment of their teams in the disaster area can be precisely tailored to the requirements. arche noVa expects official clearance for the emergency team to enter the country shortly.
We are urgently dependent on donations for our emergency aid.
