Taken from UNICEF Press Release here
On 28 September 2018 in Indonesia, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and was followed by a tsunami with waves up to 6m high. UNICEF says the situation for tens of thousands of children will remain extremely precarious in the days ahead. Children in Palu, Donggala and other affected sites in Sulawesi need urgent help to recover. Many have lost their loved ones, homes and neighbourhoods. UNICEF and a team of social workers from the Ministry of Social Affairs have started the process of identifying separated and unaccompanied children. There are no official figures, but initial reports indicate a high number of separated children. Twelve posts have been set up in the affected area to identify children who may have been separated from their families or are unaccompanied. These locations are also being used as safe spaces for children to play and recover. Messages on identification and referral of unaccompanied and separated children have been circulated via digital channels, and signposting at displacement sites is underway. UNICEF is helping the Ministry of Social Affairs to implement the Primero database, the only system available in the country that supports tracing and family reunification. UNICEF has been developing this in coordination with the Indonesian authorities prior to the earthquake. When an emergency strikes, children require special protection to ensure their safety and well-being. UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Affairs are preparing social workers to care and protect children in case of violence, abuse or exploitation. UNICEF and its partners will also provide psychosocial support to children who have been affected by the disaster. UNICEF is working in the affected areas at the request of and in coordination with the Government of Indonesia.
Also check out the blog by UNICEF Indonesia here