Team to Assess Children's Needs Following Earthquake, Tsunami

Westport, Conn. (July 18, 2006) — Save the Children is sending an emergency assessment team to Java, Indonesia following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake and tsunami on July 17 that has killed more than 350 people, and caused tens of thousands of people to leave their homes, according to the latest figures of the Indonesian government.

"We are especially concerned about the needs of children impacted by this disaster. Children are among the most vulnerable in these kinds of emergencies," said Rudy Von Bernuth, who heads Save the Children's emergency response efforts. "Our emergency staff based in Indonesia is heading to the affected area and will be reporting back on damage and immediate needs."

In its assessment, Save the Children will be looking at issues around separation and protection as well as meeting the basic needs of families including food, water, shelter and healthcare.

Because the tsunami struck on the first day of school, Save the Children officials are concerned that children may have not been with their parents when the disaster happened.

Save the Children has been present in Indonesia for the past 30 years and is a global leader in child-focused emergency response. The agency currently works in 40 developing countries as well as in the United States, including communities along the Gulf Coast recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina last summer.