Humane Society International (HSI) is mobilizing resources to help the human and animal victims of the deadly earthquake in Indonesia May 27.
The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, left more than 5,000 people dead and an estimated 200,000 displaced from their homes. Many were in bed when the tremor struck at 5:54 a.m. on the island of Java. The Bantul district, southwest of Yogyakarta, is reported to be the worst hit.
While humanitarian aid pours in for the victims of the earthquake, HSI and its partner, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), are sending teams to the area to assess how animal victims have fared.
Sherry Grant, HSI Asia Director and Disaster Response Coordinator, related descriptions of the scene on the ground from one field responder, a veterinarian working with Care for Animals. "Cattle, goats, chickens, stray dogs and cats can be seen in the disaster area," she said. "Many animals were in poor condition before the earthquake. Many livestock have no access to food or shelter and are eating what garbage they can find."
The area hit by the earthquake is mostly agricultural, and HSI responders expect to find a great number of cattle and goats in dire need of assistance, if they haven't already perished. The people of the region depend on livestock for their livelihood.
"A large number of animals have strayed due to the earthquake, and those farmers that still have their animals are finding it very difficult to care for them," reported Grant. "Many of the farmers are still traumatized, injured or dealing with death of family members."
Response teams, including staff from Yayasan Yudisthira Swarga, an HSI partner and one of the first animal organizations on the ground following the December 2004 tsunami, will bring in much needed veterinary medical supplies, food, water, and shelter for the animals.
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Fortunately, several animal disaster responders were already on the ground and ready to help local farmers evacuate animals if a nearby volcano, Mount Merapi, erupted. The volcano, actively spewing ash and gas for weeks, has become even more of a threat since the earthquake.
Check the HSI website regularly for updates on our response to this disaster.
