On the same day exactly three years after the South Asia Tsunami, Indonesia experience another water-related disaster. Heavy rain that pours on KarangAnyar & Wonogiri Districts, Central Java from Christmas Day until the next morning has brought major landslide to several villages in both districts.

As of evening of December 26, 2007, the casualties reported are 67 dead from 9 locations only (36 in Ledoksari Village, 8 in Jumapolo Village, 3 in Jatiyoso Village, 5 in Kerjo Village, 2 in Kebak Kramat Village, 4 In Matesih Village, 3 in Karang Pandan Village, 3 in Jenasih Village, 3 in Ngaryoyoso Village)

While the world is enjoying the holiday season, rescuers decided to continue their efforts even when its dark already; trying to find 37 missing persons. The mud was reported at least 4 meters high and the heavy equipment were not sufficient to clear the roads towards the most affected areas.

Mr. Martowiyono, 70 yr old, who escaped from the landslide is worried about his neighbor, Mr. Sido, 61 yr old, who is missing. The neighbors are still searching for him whom they believed is trapped under the mud. Hope is little for him to survive as rescuers trying to change Sido's destiny. Sido's neighbor, Sagimin, managed to survive despite his house is destroyed.

HOPE worldwide is sending a disaster relief team to deliver medical supplies from its warehouse in Jakarta to the worst hit areas; 15 hours away by land. The team will also assess the latest situation on the ground to see the urgent needs and possibilities to help. It is estimated that the victims will need health care, temporary shelters, and food assistance. Please pray that the victims trapped under the mud can be saved in time.

HOPE worldwide is an international relief and development agency with programs in over 80 countries globally. Our mission is to change lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high impact services to empower poor and needy communities. Through 13 Centers of HOPE in Indonesia, 137,000 persons are served annually through programs in areas of health, education, children, employment, seniors, and outreach.

In 2007 alone, over 30,000 people affected by Jakarta Flood, Bengkulu Earthquake & Sumbawa Earthquake has received assistance in health, shelter, food, and psycho-social counselling.

To learn more about the organization and to support the disaster relief effort, please visit www.hopeww.org - for additional information or inquiry, please contact Charles Ham, country director, at:

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