On 30th September 2009, a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck West Sumatra province of Indonesia. The earthquake affected 13 out of 19 districts, killing over 1,100 people, injuring 3,000 and causing major destruction to concrete buildings and infrastructure. One day after the earthquake hit West Sumatra, another large earthquake occurred in the province of Jambi on 1st October, affecting 43 villages in the district of Kerinci. Three people were reported dead. Most damage was sustained in the housing sector, where a total of 2,035 houses were damaged. Education, health, religious and irrigation facilities were also affected.
The Government of Indonesia immediately responded by declaring a one-month emergency phase and welcoming international assistance under close national coordination. A comprehensive Damage. Loss and preliminary Needs Assessment (DLNA) was rapidly undertaken from 9th to 17th October 2009. This assessment was funded by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) with financial support from the European Commission and the governments of Australia, Norway and Sweden. The assessment was led by the Government of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), with vital input from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the provincial governments of West Sumatra and Jambi, local district governments as well as by a team of technical experts from several multilateral and bilateral agencies including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the United Nations Development Programme.
The DLNA estimated the total damages and losses in West Sumatra at US$2.3 billion, equivalent to about 0.4% of Indonesia’s GDP. Damages and losses in Jambi were estimated at US $11 million based on estimates from the district government of Kerinci. Almost 80 percent of all damages and losses in the Western Sumatra were recorded in the infrastructure sector (primarily housing). The overall financial requirements for recovery and reconstruction are estimated at approximately US$2.4 billion. Financial requirements for recovery (over 18 months period) are estimated at US $343.6 million, while total reconstruction needs are estimated at US $2,092.9 million over 24 months. The assessment recommended the use of community-driven approaches to rebuild housing, community infrastructure, irrigation systems, schools and health centers. The assessment also stressed the need to integrate disaster mitigation and preparedness into the relief, rehabilitation and development process to reduce vulnerabilities.