THE Salvation Army in Indonesia continues to provide emergency assistance and medical services to people affected by the earthquake in West Sumatra. Having focused attention and established a presence in the Pangang Pariaman sector, the Army is seeing an average of 200 patients each day in a makeshift medical tent, the only service available for miles. In addition, 1,000 tents, 2,000 blankets and 5,000 packets of milk powder were distributed in the first days of the crisis.
Within hours of the quake a container-load of medical and emergency supplies was dispatched from Jakarta to the city of Padang. In cooperation with local government officials and community leaders, the Salvation Army team quickly identified a location to begin the arduous task of surveying communities and distributing aid to the most vulnerable.
A professional medical team fulfilled a need as people suffering from injuries and upper respiratory infections streamed into the medical tent. One community leader exclaimed: 'We thank Allah for The Salvation Army. No other organisation has come to assist us.'
Nearly every house in the area has some damage and most are completely destroyed. Entire communities have been flattened and several have been completely covered by subsequent landslides.
It is estimated that around 90,000 families remain homeless two weeks after the quake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale. Despite the daunting numbers, members of The Salvation Army’s 'Compassion in Action' team – made up of 11 staff and volunteers from the Indonesia Territory – remain firm in their resolve to offer the best service possible.
 A member of The Salvation Army's 'Compassion in Action' team offers support to community members |
 Dr Lilian Poa, of The Salvation Army's medical team, treats a patient in a specially erected tent |
 The Salvation Army medical team visited affected communities |
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 A tent, provided by The Salvation Army, in front of a house destroyed in the earthquake in the Padang Alai area |
 A building in the city of Padang that collapsed onto a car |
