At least 844 people died this weekend when an earthquake and ensuing tsunami hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The 7.5-magnitude temblor triggered a tsunami with waves up to 20 feet high.
The death count is expected to rise, as many people are still missing and reported to be trapped in collapsed buildings. Estimates put the total number of people affected at 2.4 million.
Samaritan’s Purse is working with local partners and government officials to determine how we can best respond to the deadliest disaster to strike Indonesia in more than a decade. An assessment team is already en route. Our teams will address emergency medical and clean water needs and also provide non-food items.
The terrifying quake hit on Friday, Sept. 28, when hundreds of people were attending a beach festival in Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi Province.
Many people are afraid to go inside for fear of the aftershocks. The need for food, water, and medical care is high. Nearly 50,000 people have been displaced and hundreds are injured.
Samaritan’s Purse has already been meeting critical needs in Indonesia, as we responded to the August earthquakes in Lombok by providing emergency food, water, and shelter through local partners.
Please pray for those suffering in Indonesia. Pray that, during this tragedy, God’s love will be shown in action to families in desperate need.
