Save the Children prepared to respond to children’s needs in Aceh earthquake

Save the Children will mobilise staff to meet the needs of children and their families affected by today’s earthquake in Indonesia if there is a need for a large-scale humanitarian response. If the earthquake causes a tsunami then the charity will respond to children's needs.    

Save the Children’s Olivier Franchi in the nation’s capital Jakarta said, “The extent of the earthquake damage is still unclear but we know children are often the most vulnerable following disaster.  There have also been major aftershocks.  We stand ready to respond.”

Mr Franchi said all Save the Children staff in Aceh have been accounted for. Assessment teams have been  mobilised, even though the initial tsunami warning has been lifted.   

Save the Children works in fourteen provinces across Indonesia. The agency has been working in Aceh since 1976  and has been helping communities to improve their capacity to cope with disasters since the 2004  tsunami.

“We strive to save children’s lives in disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis and we will do it again if there is a need to mount a large humanitarian relief effort in the affected region.”

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