PWRDF sends aid to earthquake victims in West Sumatra

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is sending $10,000 to help victims of an earthquake that hit West Sumatra on Sept. 30. The 7.6 earthquake killed more than 1,000 people, mainly in Padang and Pariaman cities.  Thousands of other people are believed to still be trapped under rubble in Padang, and the death toll is expected to rise.This initial grant will support rapid response aid on the ground by members of Action by Churches Together (ACT), a coalition of church-based organizations that responds to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. PWRDF, which is a member of ACT, is accepting donation for relief efforts.ACT says it will focus its activities in Padang Pariaman district, where just over 10,000 houses collapsed or burnt to the ground following the earthquake. According to information from the ecumenical organization, hospitals throughout Padang city were severely damaged, including Padang’s largest and only hospital with full surgery facilities. Emergency systems at the hospital failed, even though the hospitals regularly conducted mock drills.  Patients are being treated in the hallways due to overcrowding and an open-air morgue has been set up outside the hospital. External medical assistance in particularis greatly needed. Water supplies in the region are down with repairs not expected to start until next week.Three days after the disaster, electricity is still down in many areas. The price of fuel has skyrocketed to six times the usual price and is in short supply. Roads are still blocked and bridges demolished making it hard for ACT International members to reach Padang Pariaman.Contributions to PWRDF’s appeal can be made online at the Canada Helps website and designated for “West Sumatra.” For credit card donations, contact Ricky de Castro at (416) 924-9192 ext. 318 or at 1-866-308-7973. Please do not send your credit card number by e-mail or fax. Donations can also be sent to PWRDF at 80 Hayden St., Toronto, Ont., M4Y 3G2. Please mark them “West Sumatra.”