Indonesia
Médecins Sans Frontières first started working in Indonesia in October 1995, when it provided emergency aid to the victims of a devastating earthquake in Kerinci, Sumatra. Since then, we have responded to various natural disasters and epidemics. In March 2009, our team withdrew due to the Indonesian government’s increased capacity to deal with natural disasters.
Before the withdrawal, Médecins Sans Frontières had worked throughout Indonesia including in former conflict zones such as Aceh and Ambon. Teams provided treatment and medication for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as general healthcare, surgery, vaccination campaigns, sanitation programs and training for staff.
After the Asian tsunami in 2004, we refurbished 28 health facilities, conducted more than 40,000 medical consultations and provided 2,000 individual counselling sessions.
On September 30, a powerful earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra leaving more than 1,000 people dead. Médecins Sans Frontières returned to Indonesia temporarily to provide survivors with emergency medical assistance via mobile clinics in some of the most neglected rural areas, and water and sanitation services and psychological care. Teams distributed essential relief items such as hygiene kits, kitchen utensils, blankets, mats and plastic sheeting to 1,600 families.
Médecins Sans Frontières has worked in Indonesia since 1995.
Sumatra: Médecins Sans Frontières extends post-earthquake assistance to Mentawai Islands
26/09/2007
Some 20 tons of relief materials have reached the remote Mentawai Islands, 150 kilometres off the west coast of Sumatra, which were badly hit by the two earthquakes of Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 September.
Relief effort after Sumatra earthquake must be boosted, says Médecins Sans Frontières
20/09/2007
A week after two powerful earthquakes hit the Indonesian Island of Sumatra, relief aid is still not properly reaching the rural populations affected, says humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières.
Médecins Sans Frontières offers relief items and psychosocial support to earthquake survivors in Sumatra
14/09/2007
Following the earthquakes that have hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Emergency Team of Médecins Sans Frontières has distributed relief items and is continuing to further assess the needs. With strong aftershocks...
Sumatra earthquakes: Two Médecins Sans Frontières emergency teams reviewing the needs
13/09/2007
Following the earthquakes that have hit Sumatra island, the Emergency Team of Médecins Sans Frontières in Indonesia has started an evaluation of the damage and the medical needs among the population.
Helping tsunami survivors in Aceh : Dr Tira Aswitama
27/08/2007
Only three days after she graduated as a medical doctor from Jakarta University, 28-year-old Tira Aswitama joined Médecins Sans Frontières in Aceh to help survivors after the Tsunami swept across the Indian Ocean in 2004.