SALT LAKE CITY — Islamic Relief Worldwide and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working together to provide urgently needed medical supplies to victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Indonesia on Saturday.
More than eight semi-truckloads of critical medical items from the Church’s welfare and humanitarian storehouses in Salt Lake City were flown to Indonesia in a 747 cargo jet provided by Islamic Relief Worldwide. The plane left Salt Lake City International Airport on Tuesday evening and is expected to arrive in Indonesia by late Wednesday.
This rapid-response shipment includes critically needed supplies to care for the thousands injured in Saturday’s disaster: first-aid supplies, materials for making casts to set broken arms and legs, walkers, canes, crutches, warm-weather clothing for hospital patients and hygiene kits.
These materials are being provided in close coordination with Indonesian government officials. Arrangements are in place to transport these badly needed items to the disaster area immediately upon arrival in Indonesia. Islamic Relief Worldwide will assist with on-site distribution.
Government officials and other observers are calling the quake one of the worst in Indonesia’s history. The 6.3 magnitude quake struck Saturday morning on the Indian Ocean coast near Yogyakarta, killing thousands and leaving tens of thousands injured and homeless. The United Nations reports more than 40 percent of the injured and homeless are children.
Church leaders and members in Indonesia also moved quickly to respond effectively to their government’s urgent appeal for help. Within hours of the quake, Church members had prepared and served over 2,000 meals to those in need in the stricken area. The Church also provided food to other organizations providing relief in nearby communities.
Hygiene kits, assembled by Indonesian Church members and others, were quickly distributed. Cots, mattresses and blankets were purchased locally and provided to an orthopedic hospital where hundreds came seeking medical attention.
Generous donations to the Church’s humanitarian fund combined with volunteer labor from members and friends of the Church make possible the ongoing warehousing of disaster relief
supplies. Having needed materials readily at-hand enables the Church to respond quickly to relieve suffering among the most needy during crisis situations.
Church leaders in Indonesia report that all missionaries are safe. Among Church members, no deaths have been reported, though a few sustained minor injuries. To date, there has been a report that one Church building received minor damage.
Those interested in donating to the emergency response relief effort of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can go to www.ldsphilanthropies.com.
Donations may also be mailed to:
LDS Church Welfare
Services
Emergency Reponse
LDS Church Office Building, Room #701
50 East North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84150