December 23, 2018 – New York, NY  – In response to the deadly tsunami that struck Indonesia’s Sunda Strait region on Saturday evening killing hundreds, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), is providing emergency relief and assessing emerging needs through its local partner in the Kalianda and Rajabasa subdistricts in Lampung. The aid provision includes health services, clean water, and critical supplies for survivors and the displaced.

With a presence in Indonesia since the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, JDC recently responded to two other deadly disasters on the archipelago. In September, JDC provided aid following the earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island and, in July, JDC responded to the earthquake in Lombok. These responses are a result of JDC’s local disaster relief work and efforts to build disaster risk reduction and response capabilities over the past 14 years. That work culminated in a just-completed JDC flagship program, funded by USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, that trained local communities in disaster management and psychosocial services.

JDC relief activities are coordinated with the U.S. Department of State, USAID, the Israeli government and the United Nations, as well as local and international partners.