Earthquake in Indonesia
On 2nd September, the Indonesian community in West Java region was shaken by 7.3 magnitude earthquake centred in Tasikmalaya.
After the earthquake, Traidcraft producer Pekerti contacted craftspeople and heard that some homes have suffered minor damage and one of the workshops has collapsed.
Pekerti went to provide assistance to the victims. Pekerti assigned two staff to go straight to the field to see firsthand the conditions of earthquake victims in Tasikmalaya. They have also provided financial assistance - which is distributed through head of local sub-district.
There are still many areas not yet touched by the aid, both from government and from other communities. Tents and blankets are the current items are needed by residents because residents are still afraid to return to their home lives.
Pekerti plans to have housing programmes to help the victims of the earthquake disaster, having already assisted by building 500 units of temporary shelter during the earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006.
More quakes
There were further massive earthquakes in Sumatra on 30th September and 1st October. We have contacted Perkerti and are waiting to hear if any producers have been affected.
Flooding in the Philippines
On 26th September, severe flooding was caused by Typhoon Ketsana hitting the coast of the Philippines. Traidcraft producer Saffy, who are based in Manila and have producer groups in various areas, sent us the following message:
"It is with profound sorrow to inform you that our organisation among other Filipinos has been struck by the tropical storm Ketsana (Philippine name “Ondoy”). The tropical storm caused the worst flooding since World War II in Metro Manila’s history for it dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in just 12 hours. This in effect caused major flooding in metropolitan Manila and landslides in adjacent areas.
"Saffy Handicrafts’ office and warehouse in Manila was not able to escape the flooding caused by the tropical storm though the office area is elevated. Water level reached as high as two feet causing some of our legal documents, business transactions, electrical equipments, central processing units among others to be submerged. While most of the staff and member-workers were also affected with the flooding, reaching up to waist-deep high water.
"Some partner-producers affected by the tropical storm confirmed that they are in great shape, though very minor damages to their properties had been reported. And the others advised us that they were not that much affected by the said typhoon.
"Meanwhile, together with our producers, we will do our very best to deliver any commitments that we had promised prior to this unprecedented event.
"Again, we are deeply grateful for your concern and appreciate your solidarity with us and our fellow Filipinos affected by this calamity."
How you can help
Please keep our producers and other people in these areas in your thoughts and prayers.
Rebuilding after these disasters is mainly an activity for relief agencies rather than Traidcraft. If you wish to help, please Oxfam's website (here for the Philippines relief work and here for Indonesia).
How Traidcraft will help
We will be keeping this situation in mind as we place orders for the future, since more work is often the first request of our partners in such circumstances.
