Integral has launched a joint Disaster Response for the impact of catastrophic flooding in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand and Vietnam. Six Integral Members are responding together to this crisis, combining their strengths to better serve affected communities[1]. Integral Member and Partner work is currently concentrated in responses for Sri Lanka and Indonesia, but this Integral Response will maintain a multi-country focus to allow for future work in other affected regions and countries.
It is estimated that 1.2 million people [source here] are currently displaced across five countries, 1,600 people have died with many more still missing. There is also a significant loss of livelihoods. Flooding and landslides have damaged roads and bridges making access difficult and hampering evacuation and rescue operations. Affected communities are in urgent need of clean water, food and essential household items.
Integral Members and their Partners have been able to respond immediately with food distributions and are currently conducting needs assessments which will be shared with all the responding Members. They are well positioned in the region to respond with food and nutrition, essential household items, hygiene supplies, medical support and provide protection activities for vulnerable people.
Effendy Aritonang, National Director for Food for the Hungry Indonesia says, “The situation is dire. Food for the Hungry has launched its initial relief efforts by providing basic necessities like food and water to support 7,600 households in North and West Sumatra. The floods have washed away homes and belongings, and most people are unable to work due to the damage to farmland and standing crops. Some families are temporarily housed in schools and government buildings, but many have no shelter. The needs are immense. Unless we step in to assist urgently, the most vulnerable – children and expectant and young mothers will continue to suffer.”
Effendy continues, “By increasing coordination and releasing additional resources, Integral hopes to make a decisive impact to support more families urgently.”
In the initial stages of an Integral response calls are held as frequently as necessary, so that Members can share information in the critical phase when needs are acute. The Integral online platform enables Members to share photos and stories, response plans and funding needs.
Integral is a global alliance of 21 Christian relief and development agencies that come together to respond in times of disaster. We believe we can serve people better by uniting our collective reach, funding and expertise.
[1] Food for the Hungry (USA), Transform Aid (Australia), Tearfund Netherlands, Tearfund New Zealand, Tearfund (UK), ZOA (Netherlands)