Category Archives: Asia

Stephen Forte visits IDEP Foundation – Recipient of our post-tsunami .NET Charity Auction

Earlier this week I got an email from Stephen Forte saying he was in Bali and would love to meet the folks from IDEP Foundation. IDEP is an Indonesian NGO for which Stephen and I coordinated a charity auction 5 years ago and raised $10,000. We raised another chunk of money in a repeat auction in June of that year as well.

I sent an email to my dear friend Petra, a Canadian ex-pat, who runs IDEP. I met Petra through Keith Pleas who had connections to IDEP and was looking for help for them after the tsunami hit. Petra is in Ubud. Turns out that Stephen was in Ubud, not Bali. Perfect. So they met (I was so happy and also a little envious…but I’ll get their someday.)

Stephen has written a wonderful blog post on his visit with Petra and the continuing amazing work that IDEP does. He says, “I can report back to the .NET community and all of those who donated that our contribution made a difference.”

.NET Charity Auction Follow-up 5 years later

Post-Tsunami, Indonesia keeps getting slammed: March 2007 Earthquake relief

IDEP’s appeal to assist survivors of the Padang Earthquake

www.idepfoundation.org

Dear Friends of IDEP,

Thank you so much to everyone who has sent questions about whether IDEP will be working in the Padang area to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts after the recent earthquake. Following is an overview of IDEP’s plans to work with our local partner in the area KOGAMI to assist some communities that seem to have been “forgotten” to start recovering their lives.

Background

At 10:49 am on March 6th 2007, West Sumatra experienced an earthquake which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was 50 km from the major Indonesian City of Padang. A second earthquake struck at 12:49 pm. Tremors were felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore, 430 km from the epicenter.


Map of the epicenter of the quake – people in Padang fleeing the area – example of one of the many destroyed buildings due to the quake

The most affected district was Solok, located 96 km northeast of Padang. Tanah Datar, Agam, Padang Pariaman, and the cities of Bukittinggi, Padang Panjang, Pariaman, and Padang were also affected by the earthquake. Thousands of buildings collapsed, glass doors and windows shattered, power lines toppled and phone lines were either cut or overloaded. Over 135,000 people were left homeless.

Padang is considered one of the highest risk areas in Indonesia for Tsunami and earthquake vulnerability. Please see the following TIME Magazine article which explains why: www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1139873,00.html

Considering the high level of infrastructure damage, the loss of lives from this massive earthquake was much less than expected with a little over 70 people reported deceased. IDEP believes that this result is partially due to the extensive disaster preparedness work and community evacuation drills that have been facilitated in the area over the last 2 years by our partner KOGAMI.  

KOGAMI are a highly effective group of volunteers tirelessly working to educate the people of Padang and encourage the local government to take the risk of earthquakes and tsunamis seriously. KOGAMI have been utilizing IDEP’s Community Based Disaster Management Kit in their efforts to educate the local population of Padang and have been a major catalyst and facilitator for education and training.  

KOGAMI has undertaken disaster preparedness training and socialization in every Kelurahan or area around Padang. Their continuing efforts have resulted in a noticeable growth in awareness, preparedness, and anticipation of disasters within local governance and the community. For more information about KOGAMI see:
http://www.kogami.or.id/


IDEP’s local partner KOGAMI at work in the area – KOGAMI’s Director Patra explains plans to the Mayor of Padang – Area Evacuation Map

Immediately following the earthquake KOGAMI began working with The Fire Department of Padang to undertake extensive Search and Rescue while conducting a rapid needs assessment for the area.

The International response to the disaster was good with the International Civil Defence Directory, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Human Settlements Programme (Habitat), UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Resident Coordinator, World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) all working on the ground relatively soon after the disaster happened. Due to this fact IDEP / Kogami decided that it was not necessary to launch a direct emergency response initiative.

Due to the large number of organizations working on the ground after the earthquake IDEP / KOGAMI decided that it was not necessary to launch a direct emergency response initiative following the earthquake.

However, in the period after the quake KOGAMI continued to monitor the response and recovery efforts in the area and found that certain areas had been overlooked and did not have access to the support they needed. KOGAMI then conducted a detailed assessment of these seemingly “forgotten” areas and their findings are the basis for this appeal.


Our plans to assist Earthquake survivors in the Padang area

Buildings in the Padang area are particularly prone to the devastating effects of earthquakes due to their construction methods. The majority of buildings around Padang are highly prone to collapse during a seismic shift. With the reconstruction of thousands of buildings now needed in the area it is important that new appropriate technologies for earthquake proof construction be socialized in the area.


Examples of the many completely destroyed homes that KOGAMI has identified, these families need help to rebuild their homes & lives

IDEP / KOGAMI propose to:

Construct at least one ‘earthquake-proof’ house which will be used as a training and educational model for the community, local government, reconstruction agencies and key stakeholders in the Padang Pariaman area. The cost of this construction and training will be US $9,000. The wooden house that IDEP / KOGAMI plans to construct for demonstration and educational purposes, has been engineered to withstand movement during earthquakes and can be replicated by communities and agencies in the area. Please see the diagram below for the design of the earthquake proof houses.


Many people in remote areas on the outskirts of Padang have not had the support that they need to even start to cover the basic living needs.

IDEP / KOGAMI propose to:

Supply at least 9 complete sets of household needs kits for families who are having difficulty recovering from the quake. These kits will include basic food needs, bedding, and kerosene lamps. These sets (including cost of distribution to families in need) have a value of US$ 300 per set, minimum support needed to implement this activity is US$ 2,700.


People in the Padang area are extremely prone to disaster and ongoing community education and capacity building for disaster preparedness and management is a priority issue in the area.


The KOGAMI team at work conducting evacuation drills and teaching basic techniques for Search & Rescue & Emergency First Aid

IDEP / KOGAMI propose to:

Conduct community events and workshops which will increase awareness and understanding in local communities and local government about appropriate systems for building earthquake proof homes and Community Based Disaster Preparedness.

This project will not only provide rebuilding and relief to specific families in desperate need but also act as a working example of effective building techniques for earthquake prone areas.

Should support for this initiative be forthcoming the KOGAMI team will work in the area for 4 months to socialize the earthquake-proof building technology, build the demonstration home in conjunction with local community representatives and other stakeholders and ensure that the technology and information is disseminated to local communities and government agencies. KOGAMI will also distribute the household needs kits while documenting the entire process and reporting on the results.
 


How you can help…

IDEP is urgently seeking immediate support for assisting affected communities with some basic reconstruction while educating local stakeholders in earthquake proof housing technology.

To make a donation please go to our website: www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php

Currently, IDEP can accept donations by two means:

1) Online Credit Card Donations through the National Heritage Foundation

Visit
www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php and select the ‘On-line Credit Card Donation’ option. You will be directed to the National Heritage Foundation website where you can process your donation through their secure site. Donations are accepted on our behalf by the National Heritage Foundation in the USA which is a registered 501-(c)(3) charity. Donation made through NHF are tax deductible in the United States.

Don’t forget, when you register your donation on our website, if you wish to earmark the funds for a particular project please indicate the project name.

2) Wire transfer to our bank account

[see website for details bank transfer details…]

If you are wire transferring funds please notify IDEP by filling in our donation registration form  on-line at:
www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php or emailing [email protected]. Please indicate the amount, the originating currency (i.e. US  dollars, UK pounds, etc), bank name and city from which the transfer was made, your name (as you would like to be listed on the donor list), and the date of the transfer. A receipt will be sent once the funds have arrived. Also, if you wish to earmark the funds for a particular project please indicate the project name.

Thank You so much to everyone who can help make this recovery project possible and for any support you are able to  provide.


Overview of Earthquake Proof Housing Technology that will be used as part of this project:

Tsunami torn Aceh is still in trouble –and now, devastating Flash Floods

Today, from IDEP, in Bali Indonesia, with whom I worked very closely during the aftermath of the disastrous tsunami two years ago. This is urgent and not on their website yet:

 

IDEP’s Emergency Response to
Flash Floods in Aceh & North Sumatra

Dear Friends of IDEP,

Two years after the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated the province, Aceh is struggling with a new disaster.

Torrential rains over the past week have triggered flash floods and landslides which have forced around 300,000 to flee their homes on the island of Sumatra, with Aceh and North Sumatra provinces the worst hit.

As of yesterday reports showed that about 100,000 people were stranded by floods which have claimed at least 110 lives. Water levels, which rose to as high as five meters in some places, have been receding, but today the sky was dark again with clouds. We pray that the rains will not start again.

Officials say a combination of heavy rains and widespread unregulated deforestation are to blame for the flash flooding. By removing dense vegetation the ground is less able to absorb heavy rainfall, creating torrents of water that quickly overwhelm river systems.


About IDEP’s current response activities in the area



IDEP’s emergency response partner Yayasan Bahari’s rescue team have have been working around the clock for several days now. Today they found about 70 bodies.

They have been concentrating on Search and Rescue and evacuating as many people as possible from the still isolated regions while getting emergency supplies to thousands of stranded people who are short of water and food.

They are focusing on Tamiang Hulu which is next to Kuala Simpang / Sigli, Tamiyang / Pulau Tiga Aceh, Northern Sumatra, where three sub districts are still completely isolated. Whole villages have been swallowed by flood waters with residents escaping to find refuge on higher ground or trapped on the roofs of their houses. Roads leading to many of the affected areas are blocked due to both flooding and landslides, which is making access extremely difficult.

Today IDEP received a pledge of support in the form of urgently needed donated boats – however we need to repair or buy motors for them, which will cost about $1,000 US per motor x 2 boats we will be looking into options on this tomorrow – if anyone is able to help with this please contact us immediately.


How you can help…

IDEP is urgently seeking immediate support for family support kits, temporary shelters, field kitchens, water an sanitation supplies as well as distribution and search and rescue logistics.

For emergency supplies IDEP is working with our partners CV Sarawsati (CVS) who helped us with supplies and delivery for the 2005 Tsunami, as well as the Jogyakarta and West Java Quake responses earlier this year. CVS can supply us with aid kits such as the following immediately should support be available…

To make a donation please go to our website: www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php

Currently, IDEP can accept donations by two means:

1) Online Credit Card Donations through the National Heritage Foundation

Visit www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php and select the ‘On-line Credit Card Donation’ option. You will be directed to the National Heritage Foundation website where you can process your donation through their secure site. Donations are accepted on our behalf by the National Heritage Foundation in the USA which is a registered 501-(c)(3) charity. Donation made through NHF are tax deductible in the United States.

Don’t forget, when you register your donation on our website, if you wish to earmark the funds for a particular project please indicate the project name.

2) Wire transfer to our bank account

Our bank account details:

If you are wire transferring funds please notify IDEP by filling in our donation registration form  on-line at: www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php or emailing [email protected]. Please indicate the amount, the originating currency (i.e. US  dollars, UK pounds, etc), bank name and city from which the transfer was made, your name (as you would like to be listed on the donor list), and the date of the transfer. A receipt will be sent once the funds have arrived. Also, if you wish to earmark the funds for a particular project please indicate the project name.

Thank You so much to everyone who can help make this emergency response possible and for any support you are able to  provide.

IDEP Responds to Indonesia Earthquake

IDEP is the organizaton that I worked closely with after the devastating tsunami in Dec 2004. As a local organization, they were able to respond immedately and effectively to the worst affected area – Aceh Province. They continue their steady work in Aceh and the organization has grown. As soon as I read about the earthquake yesterday, the first thing I did was go look at their site to see if there was any news.

This morning, I received this email.



Dear friends of IDEP,
 
On Saturday the 27th of May at 5:55 am an Earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Central Java with the epicenter in the sea south of the city of Jogyakarta. The earthquake lasted for over 57 seconds with a second smaller earthquake occurring at 10.15 am. It appears that Bantul area south of Jogyakarta bore the brunt of the damage with almost all buildings being flattened and deaths numbering in the hundreds also Klaten has been badly affected. In Jogyakarta the quake caused serious structural damage to many of the cities buildings.



The current death toll is close to 5,000 and expected to rise, injured 20,000, and countless people are still buried in the rubble. Over 200,000 people are currently displaced, many of whom lost everything when their houses collapsed.

Through our partners in the area IDEP has received reports of many people not having eaten since the quake struck. Stockpiles of food, medicines and shelter prepared for the impending volcanic eruption of mount Merapi, which is in the same area are being exhausted.

IDEP is responding to the crisis.

Today, IDEP sent a team of 6 volunteers, with a truck full of medicine and emergency relief supplies, to the affected area. They will assist with search and rescue, deliver much needed emergency supplies and offer assistance to the local teams that are already on the ground – who have been working around the clock since the disaster struck. The experienced team of volunteers from Bali are expected to arrive tomorrow midday, road conditions permitting.

Today, IDEP also emptied its bank account’s emergency reserve fund to initiate the purchasing of Aid Buckets and other Emergency supplies through two of our trusted local partners in the area:

  • Yayasan IBU / Rakata – key partners in the delivery of aid in 2005 to the Tsunami struck Calang, and
  • Kelompok Peduli Bencana / KAPPALA – A group of local volunteers headed up by Eko Teguh (expert advisor to IDEP’s Community Based Crisis response Program)
As with our Tsunami appeal, where IDEP channeled over US$ 1,000,000 of funds donated by people like you to help victims, we are again calling for donations to help victims of the Java Quake. IDEP will continue to collect funds and channel assistance to victims of the Java Earthquake over the next few weeks and continue to asses the needs on the ground as the situation unfolds. We will be sending out regular updates about progress on the ground.



If you are able to help

Please visit our website for complete donation details
:www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php

More information about IDEP’s activates in Jogyakarta will be posted on our website www.idepfoundation.org as of tomorrow.

For information about making donations contact : [email protected]

Thank you so much for any help you are able to provide.