Yogyakarta (Indonesia) earthquake - May 2006

The disaster

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 in magnitude and 17km deep struck just off the Indian Ocean coast near Yogyakarta, the former Javanese royal capital, in Indonesia. The disaster occurred in the early hours of Saturday 27 May (Brussels time). Over 700 aftershocks were measured since the time of the quake.  Four districts in the Yogyakarta province (Sleman, Bantul, Gunung and Kulon Progo) and the central Java province (Malengang, Boolali, Klaten and Purworejo) have been affected by the earthquake. The earthquake's epicentre was just 25km away from Yogyakarta, reducing hundreds of buildings to rubble, severing essential services and damaging roads and airport runways. Reports confirm over 5000 dead, over 15,000 injured while some 200,000 to 600,000 people were displaced. Over 100,000 were moderately or severely damages. The volcano Merapi, which is not so distant from the site of the earthquake has been threatening the region over the previous days. It increased its activity following the earthquake.

Request for assistance

The European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) was immediately alerted about the disaster a few minutes after it happened. It immediately made contact with participating states informing them that there might be a possibility that Indonesia might make a request for international assistance. In fact, Indonesia requested assistance through the European Commission's Delegation in Jakarta, among others. the Indonesian authorities requested emergency medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, food for children, blankets, and tents. While the Indonesian authorities handled the emergency well, there was a shortage of medical staff to deal with the number of causalities.

The EU response

The MIC contacted participating states soon after the earthquake asking to make any available assistance known to the centre prior to the request for assistance from Indonesia. Some Member States reacted immediately while others provided offers of assistance after the Indonesian authorities made their official request. Meanwhile the MIC established contact with other Commission services  (DG RELEX and DG ECHO) as well as the Austrian Presidency of the Council for a well-coordinated response to the emergency. The MIC appointed a two-person civil protection assessment and coordination team which was deployed to the site of the disaster within 24 hours of the disaster. The team was headed by a French expert and assisted by an Austrian one. The team established contacts with the relevant actors on site and provided useful information and logistical support to the MIC and the member states wishing to send assistance to Indonesia.

Country

Type of assistance

Austria

Family tents and blankets

Bulgaria

Tents, blankets, medicines and other medical supplies

France

An assessment and evaluation team, 2 medical teams, medical material and supplies, tents, kitchen kits, blankets, 4 water purifying stations, medical material, hygiene kits, food, clothes, canvas covers

Germany

Medical team, infant food, foodstuffs, blankets, medical tent, disinfectants, various medical supplies, some pharmaceuticals

Hungary

3 medical teams including equipment

Italy

An assessment team including volcanologists, health personnel, logistics experts, tents, first aid kits, kitchen sets, sanitary materials, pumps, electricity generators, medical material.

Lithuania

Tents, beds and medical supplies

Malta

Blankets, foodstuffs and water

Poland

1 field hospital with medical personnel and medical rescuers, blankets and medicines

Romania

Antibiotics, medicines, medical supplies, tents, blankets and foodstuffs

Slovakia

Blankets, tents, clothing, medical equipment

Spain

3 field hospitals, medical team, medical material and supplies, tents, blankets, warm clothes, body bags and medical devices

This is an ongoing emergency. Some of the above-mentioned assistance has been despatched, whereas some other still awaits delivery.

In total 5 European teams were deployed to the area. These were provided by France, Italy, Hungary, Poland and Spain.

At the request of the UN, the MIC mobilised four Italian volcano experts to assist the UN and the local authorities in the assessment of the earthquake's impact on the Merapi volcano. The team of volcano experts inspected the western and southern sectors of the volcano by helicopter. They are gathering relevant information and collaborating with the Indonesian authorities as well as the UN. they will draw up a report based on their observations.

In addition, the European Commission offered €3million for the provision of life-saving support to victims of earthquake through its humanitarian aid office, DG ECHO. It will channel these funds through various international actors. A number of Member States have notified the MIC that they offered financial assistance: Belgium is offering €1.15million; Estonia €31,995; Greece €200,000; Hungary $65,000; Germany and Ireland each offered €500,000; Italy €500,000; Latvia €25,000; the Netherlands €2million; Slovenia €125,000; Sweden SKR2 million and the UK €7,341,641.

Added value

Working through the mechanism ensured among others that all the participating states were aware of the assistance being sent to the countries in need. It also eased the flow of information on each country's emergency, thus increasing the effectiveness of response. Some of the assistance requires transport to Yogyakarta. The MIC is currently trying to solve this issue on behalf of participating states.

Photo gallery

 
           

Photos were provided by volcano experts