FIRST Response, FEBC’s radio disaster team, is on the ground near Padang, a city of 900,000, to assist with relief efforts following two earthquakes that devastated the capital of West Sumatra last week. More than 700 people are confirmed dead with many more still missing. 

God’s timing never fails to amaze, as the FIRST Response Team were in Jakarta when the earthquake struck. Rather than proceed with a mock-disaster to test their preparedness, the FIRST Response Team proceeded directly to Padang, to assist with emergency broadcasting at a time of great need. They took with them a portable emergency radio station contained in several suitcases.

FIRST Response is working with government agencies, NGOs, and national broadcasters. After discussion with these groups, they were directed two hours away to Pariaman, a remote and badly-affected area where radio service is inadequate. Since Monday, October 5, they have been on air 24 hours a day from the earthquake affected offices of the local government.

In addition to contributing food, medicine, blankets and clothing to survivors of the earthquake, FEBC is also distributing over 1,100 portable radios, making it possible for listeners to gain critically important information and comfort following such a tragedy.

Disaster relief broadcasts point listeners to:
• missing family and friends
• housing and food relief
• medical advice
• grief counseling
• job opportunities

But many more radios are needed!

If you’d like to be actively involved in the rescue efforts unfolding in Padang and surrounding areas, please help us purchase additional radios to be distributed to people struggling with loss. Make it possible for them to hear words of comfort and hope from an FEBC broadcast.

Simply click on the “donate now” button and in the Donor Comment box place the word “radios.”