The ISFA@Yale is teaming up with RRAD, the Risk Reduction, Adaptation, and Disaster Student Interest Group at the Yale Forestry School, to bring awareness about the disaster and the continuing after-effects, and to encourage participation. In two weeks, on November 17, 18, and 19, a Disaster Relief Cafe will be held at Kroon Hall at the School of Forestry to raise donations and awareness. For more information,contact ISFA@Yale or RRAD If you would like to get involved by volunteering at the Cafe, click here.

Please also visit the ISFA Earthquake update page. Andalas University in Padang has set up a Crisis Center page for more updates on relief efforts and assessment of the damage. Wesleyan University has also set up a blog with updates on the situation.

The ISFA sends out its best wishes for speedy recovery to the people and the city of Padang, capital of West Sumatra, Indonesia, home of the Minangkabau people.

The earthquakes struck in the ocean off the coast of Sumatra, with magnitudes 7.6 and 5.6 in late evening of September 30, 2009. The city of Padang and the surrounding areas is feared to have suffered much damage and casualties. We are hopeful that the resiliency of the Minang people will carry them through this hardship as it has through others in the past. We echo the Mayor's call for aid from both local, national, and international sources. If you are intersted in ways in which you can contribute to the recovery efforts please contact us for further information on the recovery and the various groups at work on the scene.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT.