At 7.59 a.m. this morning the largest earthquake in 40 years, registering 8.9 magnitude, struck off the coast of Sumatra. Initial reports estimate between 3800-7000 dead. Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross/Red Crescent are currently assembling response teams. Funds have been set aside by the European Commission ($4M) and the Kuwait government ($2M) and Russia is supplying transport planes which will leave in the next few days carrying tents, other supplies and rescue personnel.

This quake comes on the one year anniversary of the Bam Earthquake which left 42,000 dead. I will update here throughout the day.