In September 2009, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck off Indonesia’s Sumatra Island at 1716hrs. Several aftershocks continued intermittently through the day and up to 75% of buildings in West Sumatra’s regional centre, Padang were destroyed. Total deaths and injuries stood in the thousands and an estimated 250,000 families were affected by the earthquake due to partial or total loss of their homes and livelihoods.

In response, CRS in collaboration with City Care Limited and Missions Teams International formed up 3 teams consisting of medical personnel and volunteers to minister in the region of Pariaman by running mobile clinics and performing food distribution.

The need for medical attention was great as Team 1 attended to 1,149 patients in the span of 4 days. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Team 2 experienced significant tremors but nonetheless returned safely back to Singapore. In addition to performing medical procedures and with the kind sponsorship of Bethesda Frankel Estate Church, Team 3 was able to distribute over 240kg of Halal food ration packets to the villagers.