CARE today began preparations for 200 hygiene kits containing sarongs, toothbrush, soap, towel, sanitary pads for some of those worst affected by the most recent tsunami in the Sunda Straits Indonesia.
CARE is also sending a team of emergency experts to the area and will also join other NGOs to do an assessment of the damage and the need sand will conduct a rapid gender assessment in order to establish the particular needs of women affected and understand their specific concerns. CARE also has a further 800 hygiene kits ready to be packed and distributed going forward.
CARE Indonesia Country Director Helen Vanwel:
“This is an area with a number of hotels and small businesses. There was very little warning before this tsunami struck, and we are still very concerned that the nearby volcanic activity may cause further damage so we are closely monitoring the situation and making contingency plans.”
“CARE already has an office and local partners in the area so we are well positioned to respond if the numbers rise, or a further eruption occurs. We have seen almost back to back disasters across the country in the last 6 months and we are struggling to respond to all the different emergencies. Its crucial to work with vulnerable communities to build up their resilience and preparedness to disasters; from shelters to livelihoods, and being able to notice some of the early warning signs when they are there.”
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About CARE in Indonesia
CARE has worked in Indonesia since 1967, initially focused on food distribution, small infrastructure projects, health, the environment, and water and sanitation. In 2004, CARE Indonesia was one of the primary emergency responders after the South Asian tsunami. Emergency response and disaster risk reduction with a focus on women and girls is always CARE Indonesia’s first priority. Its other core activities all focus on women and youth and include: Integrated Risk Management comprising resilience, food security and climate change; Economic Empowerment and leadership; and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.