The Indonesian island of Nias off the coast of Sumatra was struck by a powerful earthquake on the 28th of March. The 8.7 magnitude quake occurred at around 2315 local time, triggering fears of another tsunami. Thousands of people still traumatised by the Boxing Day earthquake fled for high ground.
Destruction
Indonesian officials say that 632 people are known to have died, but thousands more are missing. The town of Gunung Sitoli in Nias was severely affected by the earthquake and around 70% of its buildings are destroyed. Around 9,000 people lost their homes in Nias.
Most of the people of Gunung Sitoli now live in makeshift shelters, and this is also the situation in other parts of the island. The affected population is in desperate need of emergency shelter.
Survivors of the disaster outside Gunung Sitoli have little access to clean drinking water. Emergency food rations are being distributed, but the earthquake destroyed bridges and roads and many of the victims are difficult to reach.
IR staff distribute aid to survivors
Islamic Relief Action
A disaster response team has been deployed to organise supplies to the Nias and Simeulue islands and to coordinate IR's aid effort with the UN and local government.
IR staff distributed food packs containing rice, sugar, cooking oil, milk, vitamins and candles to survivors in Gunung Sitoli. IR will send additional food packs and tents for distribution among the displaced population.
The team also travelled to Simeulue and distributed an initial 100 family tents and 100 hygiene kits.
Islamic Relief has worked in Aceh since 28 December 2004 following the Boxing Day tsunami and has two offices in the province with over 60 staff. Islamic Relief is continuing its massive rehabilitation projects in the region.