Episcopal Relief and Development is assisting families in Indonesia affected by the earthquake on March 28. An 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck 75 miles north of the island of Nias, off the west coast of Sumatra. About 600 people are confirmed dead and up to 2,000 may have died according to published reports.
Thousands of people are displaced. Roads have collapsed and there is no running water or electricity on most of Nias. Forty to 80 percent of the buildings in the capital of Gunung Sitoli are heavily damaged.
The earthquake occurred only three months after a 9.0 magnitude quake struck off the Sumatra coast, causing a tsunami that left almost 220,000 Indonesians dead or missing in December.
On behalf of Episcopalians, Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency aid to support relief efforts through ecumenical partners in the region. The funds will provide critical assistance such as temporary shelter, clean water, medical services, soap, and bedding supplies. ERD responded immediately after the tsunami in the region. ERD has begun a long-term rehabilitation program in South Asia. For more information, please visit the Crisis Center at www.er-d.org.
Please pray for people in the aftermath of this crisis. To help families affected by the earthquake in Indonesia, please donate to the South Asia Relief Fund at www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Donations can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o South Asia Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), an independent 501 (c)3 organization, saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of crisis and rebuild after disasters. We work with local communities to provide food and health care which enable children and families to climb out of poverty.
