Indonesian Earthquake: The will to live

Caritas Australia begins an immediate disaster response in small outlying villages which have been completley devastated. Photograph by James Alcock/Caritas Australia.

Caritas Australia's Communications Officer, Tim O'Connor, has joined Caritas assessment staff on the ground in Sumatra, Indonesia. Destruction is rife in Padang and worse in surrounding villages. The toll of 1,100 people confirmed dead from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck on 30 September is expected to rise rapidly over the coming days as the chance of finding people alive under the rubble is now near impossible.

Tim is travelling to remote villages outside of Padang to gather first-hand accounts of the earthquake's destruction and the effectiveness of immediate relief efforts. Read Tim's report from Palak Juha, 3 hours North West of Padang, where despite the devastation that locals have experienced they begin the long process of rebuilding their villages and rehabilitating their lives whilst still managing to remain friendly and welcoming in the respectful manner common to Indonesia.

“When we heard the noise — it came like a bullet — we were in the house”, says Lisna. “Everyone in the village ran out onto the road”, which splits the row of houses down the middle, “then we all took shelter in the garden”... Read more