Scottish aid charity launches appeal to help Indonesian tsunami survivors

An aid charity has launched an emergency appeal to help survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that have left more than 840 people dead in Indonesia.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) has already released £20,000 for emergency aid to its sister agency Caritas Indonesia who is responding on the ground.

Sciaf is now urging people to give what they can to help survivors of the disaster, which has left around 48,000 people homeless.

Six-metre-high waves swept through the city of Palu on Sulawesi island after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake just off the coast on Friday evening and strong aftershocks have also hit the island.

SCIAF’s director, Alistair Dutton, urged people to help the appeal.

He said: “Responding to a disaster of this magnitude presents huge challenges. Limited communications, damaged roads, bridges and airports, access to remote areas, all make it extremely difficult to get emergency aid to survivors quickly.

“Caritas Indonesia has sent teams from the surrounding dioceses to help people in the area.

“These are badly hampered by interruptions to communications and transport but they are quickly trying to assess the situation and find out what people need.

“The urgent priorities will be burials, water, food and temporary shelter, and disease outbreaks and public health are already significant concerns. Our partners and others are doing everything they can to get help to people as quickly as possible.

“My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and are now left to pick up the pieces. I would urge everyone to please give what you can to help the people of Indonesia recover from the immediate disaster, and rebuild their homes and lives in the months and years ahead. Thank you for your generosity.”