Introduction: Richter Scale measures the magnitude of the seismic activity, however it does not quantify the humanitarian needs at the point of impact. This posed a challenge for humanitarian stakeholders in decision and policy makers, especially in risk reduction, response, recovery and reconstruction. The new Disaster Metrics tool ‘The YEW Disaster Severity Index’ was developed and presented at the 2017 World Congress of Disaster and Emergency Medicine. It uses median score of 3 for vulnerability and exposure indicators, median score percentage 100% and Medium YEW Index scoring of 4-5, as baseline, indicating the ability to cope within local capacity. Therefore scoring more than baseline coping capacity indicate external assistance needed. Case report: The aim of this case analysis is to present the real-time humanitarian impact and response to the Earthquake and Tsunami at Donggala and Palu, Sulawesi in Indonesia; using the YEW Disaster Severity Index. Based on the Earthquake (measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale) and Tsunami at Donggala, its humanitarian impact calculated on 29/9/2018, scored 7.4 High in the YEW Disaster Severity Index with 11 of the total 17 indicators scored more than the baseline coping capacity. The same YEW Disaster Severity Index score of 7.4 was scored on Earthquake and Tsunami at Palu, with 13 of the total 17 indicators scored more than baseline ability to cope within local capacity. Impact analysis reports were sent to relevant authorities on 30/9/2018. Discussion & Conclusion: State of Emergency was declared on 1/10/18, for a national response, which indicates an inability to cope within local capacity shown by the YEW Disaster Severity Index. As a conclusion, the real-time disaster response correlated with the YEW Disaster Severity Index indicators, and demonstrated the inability to cope within local capacity. Keywords: Disaster Severity Index, Natural Disaster Sulawesi, Vulnerability, Exposure, Hazard
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