Oxfam responding to devastating Lombok earthquakes

Emergencies, Media Releases, News article written on the 06 Aug 2018

Oxfam is responding to a second shallow and powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Lombok Island in Indonesia this morning, causing extensive damage and killing at least 82 people, according to media reports.

Oxfam helped to set up a Humanitarian Knowledge Hub on the island, with eight to 10 local organisations and supported two of them to respond in the aftermath of the first 6.5 magnitude earthquake last week.

The response will continue after this earthquake and staff will again be involved in rapid emergency assessments and the distribution of essential aid.

Oxfam has a mobile water treatment unit on Lombok providing safe drinking water and has sent 1,500 tarpaulins and sarongs from its emergency warehouse in Jakarta.

All Oxfam and partner staff on Lombok are safe, however a number of the partner organisations’ offices have been damaged and all regular programs are on hold.

Donations to support Oxfam’s emergency responses in Lombok and around the world can be made online at oxfam.org.au/icf

For interviews with Oxfam staff in Indonesia or more information, please contact Dylan Quinnell on 0450 668 350 or dylanq@oxfam.org.au