Java Earthquake In the latest In the latest of these horrific natural disasters, a large earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Java in May 2006, almost completely destroying parts of the southern area of Yogyakarta and killing as many as 6,200 people. The number of survivors seeking medical treatment has overwhelmed local hospitals, and a number of mobile clinics and field hospitals have sprung up to try to help the injured, but they are struggling to meet demand and, with an estimated 200,000 people having been displaced, few of those treated have a home to return to.

The physical damage done to the infrastructure of this Indonesian province, which was still suffering the affects of the 2004 earthquake and tsunami, will take months to repair. The total cost of reconstruction is, as yet, unknown, but it has been estimated that simply meeting the region's urgent needs will cost $103 million.

The relief process is gathering pace as international aid has started to arrive, but much more needs to be done, and the distribution of the necessary supplies has been hampered by poor weather and damaged roads. On top of which, nearby Mount Merapi has started showing signs of growing volcanic activity, forcing the Indonesian government to begin evacuating the immediate area.

The need of those affected is great, and once the immediate medical emergency subsides, clean water, sanitation, and access to food will become paramount as these people try to rebuild their lives.

Effective organizations APE will support in aid of Earthquake Relief: