European Union brings relief to victims of powerful earthquake in Indonesia 

Jakarta, 22^nd December 2016 – Following the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Sumatra Island’s northernmost province of Aceh in early December, the European Commission is making available € 200 000 (IDR2,870,856,000) to provide emergency assistance to the most affected communities. The aid will directly benefit 5000 people in the heavily-hit northern municipalities of Bireuen, Pidie and Pidie Jaya.

This EU funding supports the Indonesian Red Cross Society in delivering crucial assistance to the most vulnerable, including the distribution of emergency shelter material and relief items, such as blankets, tarpaulins, family kits and hygiene parcels. The assistance also ensures access to clean water, sanitation facilities and good hygiene practices, and the provision of basic medical services to affected communities, as well as psychological support. To contribute to the restoration of livelihoods, targeted individuals will also receive unconditional cash grants to help them recover, though this will be done at a later stage, once local markets resume operations.

Tens of thousands of people were displaced when a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Pidie Jaya municipality in the morning hours of 7^th December, killing more than 100 people and injuring close to 700 others. As the epicentre was shallow, at a depth of 10 kilometres, the tremors also damaged many structures, including over 11 000 private houses.

Many health centres have also been impacted, stretching the capacity of those which are still operational, thereby limiting the much-needed emergency medical services. Damage to water systems, such as reservoirs and water distribution lines, has also hampered access to safe water resources in the affected communities.

Background

The European Union together with its Member States is the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity towards people in need around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. The European Commission through its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year. For more information, please visit ECHO's website.

In 2016, the European Commission has signed a €3 million humanitarian contribution agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF. For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The contribution agreement between the IFRC and ECHO enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit in with its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €3 million.

For further information, please contact:

Pierre Prakash, Regional Information Officer for Asia and the Pacific, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO): Pierre.Prakash@echofield.eu