Earthquake disaster in Indonesia, volcano erupting...

Last weekend, Indonesia was hit by another natural disaster - earthquake in the ancient capital, Yogyakarta. (See picture on the different plates relating to eartquakes and volcanoes. The blue lines mark plate boundaries, the red triangles mark active volcanoes and the yellow dots show recent earthquakes.)

As reported, the scale of the disaster caused by Saturday's 6,3-magnitude temblor on Indonesia's main island of Central Java had taken 5,846 lives, so far. Nearly 49 000 homes were destroyed and more than 118 000 others damaged, hope of finding anyone still alive in the wreckage has been all but abandoned.

Whilst we are relieved to know that relief effort by aid agencies are in motion, and supplies shipped from around the world began to reach tens of thousands of the homeless and hungry victims, it is saddening to learn that survivors are still in desperate need of medical care and water four days after the disaster. With the problems of distribution that are dogging the massive operation, health care, shelter, water and sanitation remain the main issues.

International humanitarian aid and foreign medical teams are pouring into the disaster zone,as reported in the press. I hope that the sufferers are relieved of further pain, hunger and hardship.

My heart goes out to all the victims of the disaster. My heart sinks further when I think of the 'burning' volcano, that will erupt soon. Let us all stop for a minute of silence to pray for speedy recovery to normalcy!