There has been a devastating tsunami in the coastal areas of the Sunda Strait in Indonesia. The media is reporting that more than 200 children, men and women are dead. We fear that number might rise.
UNICEF is calling on our wealth of emergency response experience. We know from the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, earlier this year, that tsunamis are a deadly force that make the recovery efforts difficult. Rescue efforts are now under way and UNICEF is poised to respond.
Our experience tells us that in the first days following an earthquake and tsunami we must:
- Assess needs and determine the best and most effective way to respond.
- Find shelter for the families from thousands of homes that have collapsed;
-Reunite missing children with their families;
- Ensure that families are provided safe drinking water.