On September 30, 2009 at 05.15 PM a 7.6 SR earthquake (measured by National Body of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics) or a 7.9 SR (by US Geological Survey) struck West Sumatra province.  The tremor could be felt in other provinces (Bengkulu, West Sumatra, Aceh and other 5 provinces) and even in Malaysia and Singapore. The epicentrum was identified in 57 km south west of Pariaman District -West Sumatra province at the depth 71 km of the ocean.   No tsunami warning was issued by the authorities. The earthquake was triggered by the collision of two plates: Indoeurasia and Indoaustralia.

The Government has revised the official number of dead to 1,117 as this now includes the numbers of missing people that have not been found since the 30 September earthquake that wreaked havoc to West Sumatra. Figures for remote areas will not be verified until 20 October. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is reporting that 198,200 households are in need of emergency shelter.

Islamic Relief Indonesia has been conducting the Emergency Response to the affected community in West Sumatera through giving the relief distribution such as family tents, school tents, food item, hygiene kit, repairing the exist drill wells, and temporary shelter.

IRI has already delivered 6 big tents for 420 students to 5 schools in VII Koto district, Padang Pariaman district, West Sumatera. Before having the tent, the teaching learning process conducted in the field of the school without any tents, it was too hot and the students could not concentrate and went home earlier. The tent helps while they do not know until when the government or agency build their new school. Students hope much to study regularly in the safe building.

The team also has delivered 1,600 packages of food item for 1,600 HH varied from 17 neighborhoods in VII Koto, Patamuan, and Padang sago sub districts. The communities were happy receiving the rice which is part of the package from IRI as before they only eat the noodles everyday.

One Hundred Thirty Five families’ tents have been distributed to the selected vulnerable 135 HH in Ambung Kapur neighborhood. The tents are the first shelter aid ever since the earthquake happened.

There no longer a problem of water supply for the community in surrounding the SDN 09 Padang Sago and SDN Kampung Lambah, because IRI team has delivered 2 unit generator and jet pump to smooth the drill well operation at both schools. It is predicted that more than 500 communities has benefit from the wells. But, many requests from other communities to build a well cannot currently be met due to funding constraints.