HelpAge International and its partners are responding to the natural disasters that have hit South East Asia in the last few days. We are working with local partners to provide relief assistance to those affected.

HelpAge responds to South East Asia earthquake and typhoon

HelpAge International and its partners are responding to the natural disasters that have hit South East Asia in the last few days. We are working with local partners to provide relief assistance to those affected.

Published

HelpAge International and its partners are responding to the devastating natural disasters that have hit South East Asia in the last few days.

Indonesia earthquake

In Indonesia, our partner Yayasan Emong Lancia (YEL), who we worked with in post-tsunami Banda Aceh and in the 2006 earthquake in central Java, is focusing on the affected villages outside of the capital of West Sumatra Padang.

Padang city itself is very badly damaged by the earthquake.
The situation in the more rural areas around Padang remains unclear and relief agencies have yet to assess this damage.

YEL and HelpAge will provide relief to 2,000 families affected.

Vietnam typhoon

In Vietnam, HelpAge’s partner Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) has already begun to provide assistance to communities affected by typhoon Ketsana.

The powerful typhoon has caused widespread damage and flooding in 15 central provinces of Vietnam. 

Before the typhoon struck the country, the government had evacuated nearly 600,000 people from high risk areas.

Reports of losses caused by Ketsana are rapidly increasing on a daily basis. By the afternoon of 1 October, at least 101 people were reported dead, 24 missing and over 200 injured in the central region.

We will continue to provide aid to vulnerable families in 30 of the most affected communities in six provinces located in central Vietnam. These are Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Kon Tum, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, and Binh Dinh provinces.
 
VWU has mobilised their strong and large community of volunteers in the affected areas. These volunteers are able to help with distribution of relief supplies to the most vulnerable families, especially those that have older people, women and children.

With their local knowledge of the communities they work in, the VWU volunteers and staff are able to assist in the identifying and targeting of the most vulnerable people.

Philippines typhoon

In the Philippines, our partner COSE has been delivering food and clothing over the last few days. They have now stepped up their relief efforts with funding from HelpAge.