TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A non-governmental agency Oxfam sends water treatment units and purification kits to disaster-hit Palu, Sulawesi. It also provides clean water in short supply after the deadly earthquake and tsunami in the region.
Water remains the main issue, with most supply infrastructure, such as pipes, damaged in the earthquake. Some drinking water is being trucked in to the devastated communities, but it is not sufficient for the tens of thousands of people in need, and on ground treatment units will help meet the demand.
Based on the report from the national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) as per October 4, the death toll from the natural disasters reached 1,558 people, with 113 missing people, 70,821 were homeless, and 2,549 suffered injuries. There are still fears it could rise further.
Read: First International Aid Arrives in Palu
"Oxfam is working to deliver water purification units as soon as possible and scaling up its response to reach 500,000 people with clean water, essential aid supplies, like hygiene kits, water kit and shelter packs, and livelihood support," said Ancilla Bere, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Manager in Indonesia.
The scale of the damage from the earthquake and tsunami is huge and there are fears many bodies are buried under collapsed houses and buildings. “In many areas of Palu and surrounding towns, there is no running water and few working toilets - and sanitation is a serious concern," said the Oxfam manager.
Read: Palu Quake Update; 4 Districts Remain Isolated, BNPB Says
Bere added that the difficulty in getting equipment and supplies into Palu, because of damage to roads, bridges and the airport, was still hampering response efforts.
Staff from Oxfam Indonesia and local partners have arrived in Palu, Sulawesi, with others on the way, and they will provide aid supplies and set up water purification systems as soon as the equipment arrives.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake which followed by a tsunami hit Palu, Donggala, and Sigi, Central Sulawesi on Friday, September 28.
FAO | TEMPO
