Indonesia landslides response

(9 March 2007)

Seven days continuous heavy rain in Manggarai district in Flores has resulted in a series of landslides. Estimates of fatalities range from 40 to 130+ people and four entire villages have been destroyed.

In the immediate area VSO volunteers and partner organisations such as Ekopastoral are helping deliver emergency aid to affected villages including Pagal where latest reports suggest that over 1000 refugees have gathered. The nearest clinic is here so victims can receive basic treatment before referral to the district capital Ruteng if needed. In Ruteng VSO volunteers and partner organizations such as Ayo Indonesia and Delsos are organizing rescue teams and supplies to get to Pagal.

Local solidarity is doing alot to relieve the situation but VSO staff, volunteers and Indonesian partners are assessing the potential for VSO's involvement in the longer term recovery of these communities. If you wish to find out more about VSO's work and partners in Indonesia, please contact bev.watson@vso.org.uk.

Indonesia Earthquake Response

(29 May 2006)

Following Saturday’s earthquake in Java, VSO can confirm that all volunteers working in Indonesia have been accounted for and are safe and unhurt. VSO Indonesia has a number of systems in place for supporting volunteers during emergency situations, including regional volunteer support groups and an emergency phone tree for maintaining contact. VSO Indonesia would like to extend its sympathy and support to all our partners, colleagues and their families who have been affected by the earthquake.

VSO is a charity that specialises in long-term development. In Indonesia volunteers are working with local colleagues to share expertise and tackle poverty, primarily by developing the abilities of individuals to earn an income and access their basic human rights and by supporting organisations in the delivery of services to poor people. The programme, which has been operational since 1968, is focused on the regions of Java and East Nusa Tenggara.

VSO Indonesia works in three areas:

• Secure livelihoods, which supports the income earning potential of poor and marginalised people living in rural areas by strengthening the strategies and systems for managing natural resources and raising awareness and understanding of sustainable natural resource management.
• Maternal and child health, which is improving the quality of and access to community-based healthcare for women and children; mobilising village women to make better use of public health services and raising awareness of health rights.
• Disability, which aims to enable people with disabilities to participate more fully in society by developing the capacity of organisations that work for people with disabilities; implementing activities that empower and include individuals and raising awareness of the rights of marginalised individuals.

Volunteers working on Java include organisational development advisers, community healthcare educators, special education needs advisers and agricultural specialists. Six of those working on the island are based around Yogyakarta where Saturday’s earthquake happened.

In the forthcoming weeks and following the immediate relief activity, VSO Indonesia will work closely with its partners on Java and where appropriate may seek ways to support those affected by the earthquake through volunteer placements.