1,200 dead and nearly 200,000 people in need of immediate assistance
October 1, 2018 (SEATTLE) – On Friday, Sept. 28, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was followed less than half an hour later by a powerful tsunami that killed more than 1,200 people and left at least 200,000 people in need of immediate aid.
“This is the worst devastation I’ve seen since the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Looking at these images brings flashbacks of 12 years ago,” said Chris Sheach, World Concern Director of Disaster Response. “There are still places that the Indonesian government cannot reach. They are asking the international aid community for help with medical assistance, water, food, and shelter.”
The earthquake and tsunami in a densely populated city and rural areas has affected more than 2.5 million people. Children have been separated from their families, thousands of homes have been demolished, infrastructure has been destroyed, and people are living outside without shelter. The region has experienced more than 250 aftershocks through today, many of which have been strong.
As affected areas can be reached, World Concern and partners on the ground are assessing the needs of families and preparing to respond..
For interviews with World Concern staff around the world, please contact Cathy Herholdt, Senior Communications Director, at (206) 794-9775 or [email protected].
World Concern is a Christian global relief and development organization. With our supporters, our faith compels us to extend lifesaving help and opportunity to people facing the most profound human challenges of extreme poverty. At World Concern, the solutions we offer, the work we do, creates lasting, sustainable change. Lasting change that provides lasting hope. Our areas of expertise include disaster response, clean water, education, food security, child protection, microfinance and health.