PADANG, Indonesia (October 30, 2009) — One month after a deadly earthquake hit West Sumatra, Save the Children has provided more than 98,000 people — including around 50,000 children — with critical shelter and relief supplies.

Save the Children has mounted the largest relief effort of any international non-governmental organization in response to the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesia on September 30. In the hardest-hit areas, 90–95 percent of the population can no longer live in their houses, which are either structurally unsafe or have been completely destroyed.

In these areas, Save the Children is working around the clock to reach 150,000 people, including around 75,000 very vulnerable children, with shelter, household and hygiene kits. The kits include plastic sheeting, rope, mosquito nets, a cook stove and utensils, soap, detergent and other hygiene items.

"Heavy rains over the past few days are posing a serious threat to families living in earthquake-affected and mudslide-prone areas. This has added a real sense of renewed urgency to our emergency relief efforts," said Peter Sykes, Save the Children's team leader for the emergency response.

At the same time, Save the Children is supporting the government and working with local communities to get children back into school as quickly as possible. In total 1,078 schools have been damaged or destroyed across the quake zone. So far, Save the Children has provided 80 school tents to 52 schools in Pariaman and Agam districts, as well as relevant education materials. The agency is planning to donate a total of 200 school tents and associated equipment.

In order to make sure that the temporary school is a safe, enjoyable place for the children, Save the Children is also training teachers in child-friendly teaching methods and on developing a disaster preparedness plan so that all the students know what to do if another earthquake strikes. In addition, teachers will receive training on the psychosocial and recreational support that some children may need to recover from a natural disaster.

 "Children spend a considerable amount of time in schools, and it is vitally important to ensure that these structures are safe during earthquakes and are child friendly. This is why we will cooperate with the authorities to support the affected communities to build back safer, better schools for the children," said Sykes.

Save the Children has also established 24 child-friendly spaces in some of the worst affected communities. By the end of this week all the targeted 26 child-friendly spaces will have been set up and local facilitators trained.

"These are tented recreation areas where children can come to play and interact with their friends. We supply materials and train local volunteers to run the sessions. We know from decades of emergency experience that children are incredibly resilient and they can fully recover given the right care and support. We are aiming to reach 4,500 children in these communities," explained Sykes.

Save the Children has worked in Indonesia for over threes decades. In recent years, Save the Children has responded to nearly all minor, medium-sized and major natural disasters in the country. The agency works on emergency response and helps communities prepare for emergencies and develop the capacity to reduce the risks posed by disasters in the future.

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