George Young 2009?

IOM has launched a temporary shelter program to house 1,000 vulnerable families made homeless by the September 30 West Sumatra earthquake.

The quake, which left over 1,100 people dead, severely damaged some 135 000 houses in the remote region, leaving thousands of survivors lacking adequate shelter ahead of the upcoming monsoon rains.

The shelter kits will comprise corrugated iron (CGI) roofing sheets, a bamboo frame, woven bamboo wall matting, cement and salvaged bricks. The durable CGI – rather than plastic- sheets were requested by the government to contribute to post-emergency reconstruction.    

IOM engineers and community liaison staff this week began building a demonstration shelter in Padang Pariaman district to solicit local input and ensure that the structures meet local needs.

A tender for the shelter kit materials was issued today and IOM and partner agencies expect to begin distribution of the kits in Padang Pariaman and Agam districts in early to mid November.

IOM is also planning to distribute 3,500 individual tool kits – one for each family of five - and 700 community demolition and reconstruction toolkits in the two districts, which were among the worst-affected by the quake.

Each individual kit will include a shovel, saw, hammer, chisel, machete, bucket, wire, nails and work gloves in a kitbag. The community kits, which will be shared between five families, will comprise a wheelbarrow, sledge hammer, pickaxe, crow bar, hacksaw, tin cutter and rope.  

Meanwhile IOM trucks are continuing to ferry aid to survivors of the disaster. To date 758 IOM trucks have delivered 2,709 tonnes of food and non-food relief items on behalf of 82 aid agencies.

IOM vehicles are also continuing to provide transport for discharged patients injured in the quake, together with accompanying family members, from Padang hospitals to their homes. 

IOM’s West Sumatra earthquake response received a boost this week with a US$ 100,000 donation from the Brazilian government.  The operation up to now has been funded by a EUR 924,000 contribution from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO.)  The Brazilian funds will support ongoing IOM trucking and emergency shelter operations.