The earthquake of May 2006 in Java

The powerful earthquake killed more than 5,750 people, injured more than 37,500 others and destroyed thousands of homes. Nearly one million were left homeless

On 27 May 2006 at 5.54 am, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Indonesian provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java. The powerful earthquake killed more than 5,750 people, injured more than 37,500 others and destroyed thousands of homes. Nearly one million people were homeless. One day after earthquake, with my country director – David Prettyman and Puji Sutrisno, I was on the ground from Adisumarmo Airport – Solo, to conduct rapid assessment and provided first emergency supplies distribution on behalf AmeriCares’ emergency response team to the worst damaged area, in Bantul and Klaten district.

AmeriCares emergency response team sent a shipment of over 20,000 pounds of essential medicines in response to a request from a local partner on the ground through International Medical Corps (IMC) and HOPE Worldwide. And also, AmeriCares provided medical equipment and supplies to nine newly constructed puskesmas in Bantul district.

AmeriCares supported emergency response efforts in the first month after the earthquake by working with local and International NGO, United Nations agencies, and the Indonesian Government. AmeriCares provided over 15 tons of emergency relief supplies including food, water and toolkits, tents to help the many thousands of people who were left homeless after this disaster.

Worked with the partners i.e. International Medical Corps (IMC) and Yayasan Komunitas Yogyakarta (YKY), I monitored AmeriCares relief programs in Yogyakarta and Central Java until December 2007. And the last time, I prepared Final Report 2008 – Response to Java Earthquake.

During assement with an old earthquake survivor in Klaten

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