Since the two massive earthquakes hit the Mentawai Islands last week, tens of thousands of residents have fled their uninhabitable homes on the coast for higher ground and are now living in dirty, cramped conditions under temporary leaf shelters on wooden platforms. Food is scarce, the monsoons bring frequent rain, the conditions are unsanitary and people have flus and fevers, and possibly malaria.This is a very serious situation with a high risk of disease and/or malaria outbreak.

SurfAid is seeking urgent donations to get much needed relief to victims of this disaster.

SurfAid International Emergency Response Manager, Tom Plummer, sums up the situation:

"We have boats on standby in the main port of Padang however we are pressed to fill them with the necessary items like food, fuel, tarpaulins and construction materials. We desperately need funds. They already have massive health problems in the Mentawai which has been exacerbated by this crisis."

The first SurfAid boat left Monday night, 17 September loaded with food, shelter (tarpaulins and tents), building supplies, household kits, sanitation supplies and a small medical team.

Please donate to SurfAid's Mentawai Earthquake Appeal and help get more food, shelter, and medicine to victims of this disaster.

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