Three Compassion International-assisted children died in Saturday's massive earthquake on Indonesia's Java island (May 27, 2006).

Their names were withheld while Compassion officials contact their sponsors. More than 5,700 people died in the earthquake, and thousands more were injured. Estimates have placed the number of homeless at more than 100,000.

"Children bear an inordinate amount of the burden of many natural disasters, and this earthquake is no exception," said Bambang Budijanto, Compassion's Asia Area Director. "Our sponsors around the world are praying for the people of Indonesia, and our staff here are doing everything we can to help them."

Twelve Compassion projects in the area were damaged by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake. Those projects have temporarily halted activities, and one project in Klaten is serving as a public shelter.

Residents of the area have complained that international aid has been slow to reach them. Compassion is normally not a relief organization, but its local staff is working with local churches to distribute relief supplies and medical assistance.

Compassion Indonesia has formed crisis centers in Solo, Yogyakarta and Klaten to help coordinate relief efforts and distribute aid in the affected area.
 
Compassion International is one of the world's largest Christian child development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and thousands of indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than 1 million children.

NOTE: For more information or interview requests, please contact Steve Yount at (972) 267-1111 or Becky Tschamler at (719) 487-6345.