Focus on Children in Aftermath of Today's Sulawesi Earthquake
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Jan. 15, 2021) – Responding to Friday's earthquake that struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, which has reportedly killed at least 34 people and levelled many buildings, Chief of Humanitarian and Resilience Program µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï in Indonesia, Dino Satria said:
"This was a strong quake that has killed many people. At least another 15,000 people have been forced from their homes.
“While the extent of the earthquake damage is still unclear, we know children are often the most vulnerable following disaster. This will have been a particularly traumatizing experience for those children that lived through the devastating quake in Sulawesi in 2018. It will be essential that children are prioritized in any response, as they may have witnessed the death of loved ones or become separated from their parents. From our experience in emergencies, we know they will need immediate shelter and be kept safe from harm.
"µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï will mobilize staff to meet the needs of children and their families affected by today’s earthquake if there is a need for us to launch a humanitarian response. µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï Indonesia will do a rapid needs assessment together with our local partner in West Sulawesi so that we understand the humanitarian needs of children and their families following the earthquake."
To learn more about µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï's work in Indonesia, visit SavetheChildren.org/Indonesia.
µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï is a charity you can trust. Follow us on , , and .