You might have heard about the earthquake and tsunami in Suwalesi on the 28th of September. The impact of the disaster caused four districts/cities to be severely affected: Palu, Donggala, Sigi and Parigi Moutong.
Does this affect Bali?
The epicentre of the earthquake was about 980 km away from Bali, so the island was not affected. No tremor or tsunami has been seen in Bali. All flights to Ngurah Rai Airport are not affected and are operating as per normal.
However, people in Bali are sending lots of support to the victims of this tragedy.
The Indonesia government as appealed to the international community to help the victims of Sulawesi disaster. Indeed, there are quite a few of organisations that act immediately and rush to the site to help those in need. If you are at lost of where to go or whom to donate to, and if your donation will go to the right recipients, check out the organisations below. While they may have different focuses, they all share a goal of alleviating the suffering of the victims. These establishments also have a page where you can direct your donation to Sulawesi.
1.Red Cross
The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The organisation strives to relieve human suffering, respond to emergencies and protect human lives. The PMI is providing mobile clinics to the affected areas of Palu, Sigi and Donggala. The team They also send emergency supplies to support the victims with healthcare and basic needs. So far they have sent 70 tons of supplies to Sulawesi, including baby kits, mattresses, water trucks as well as other heavy equipment.
2.CARE
Started in 1945, CARE is now one of the leading humanitarian organisations fighting against poverty, The organisation has a strong focus on women and girls, believing that poverty can only be rid of when people have equal rights and opportunities. During this crisis, CARE has sent members of the emergency response team to Sulawesi, Donggala area, in particular, to assist the victims by providing drinking water, hygiene kits, sanitary napkins for women and emergency shelter kits. The organisation has released its emergency fund and is seeking to raise US $5 million to help the victims. The onsite team will also assess the impacts of the disaster on women and girls, who are at an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence. You can listen to a short interview with Helen Vanwel, CARE’s Country Director in Indonesia here. To support the victims via CARE, check out this link.
3.Oxfam
Oxfam is an international foundation aiming to address poverty and injustice. The organisation runs rights-based sustainable development programs, public education, campaigns, advocacy, and humanitarian assistance in disasters and conflicts. Oxfam has been present in Indonesia since 1957 to support the local communities. For the victims of the Sulawesi disaster, Oxfam is sending water treatment units and purification kits to the affected areas. “Oxfam is working to deliver water purification units as soon as possible and scaling up its response to reach 500,000 people with clean water, essential aid supplies, like hygiene kits, water kit and shelter packs and livelihood support,” said Ancilla Bere, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Manager in Indonesia. To help Sulawesi victims via Oxfam, check out this link.
4.Save the Children
Save the Children is a non-profit organisation with a strong emphasis on children’s life and wellbeing. The team helps the most vulnerable kids by giving them a healthy start in life, early education and protection. In the Sulawesi catastrophe, Save the Children is providing relief (food, clean water, soap, etc.) to families and children. The organisation is also setting up Child Friendly Spaces in shelters for those who have lost their homes and ensure that families have the supplies they need such as diapers and cribs. To support Sulawesi victims via Save the Children, click here.
5.Project Karma
Project Karma is an Australia-based non-profit organisation established in 2015. The team works to combat child sex exploitation in Australia and Southeast Asia. Responding to the earthquake-tsunami in Sulawesi, the organisation deployed a team to Palu to provide medical and food assistance. They are also raising a $25,000 fund to bring food, clothing and medical aid to the victims. You can follow Project Karma’s team on Instagram to know the current situation in Palu. To support the victims via Project Karma, check out here.
6.Humanity and Inclusion
Formerly known as Handicap International, Humanity & Inclusion focuses on people with disabilities and vulnerable populations by attending to their essential needs, improving living conditions and advocating for their rights. In the time of crises, the organisation works with emergency medical teams to provide the medical aid, rehabilitation care, technical assistance, mobility devices, psychological support to alleviate pain and trauma. Humanity and Inclusion was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. To support Sulawesi victims via Humanity and Inclusion, click here.
7.Kopernik
Founded in 2010, Kopernik challenges the status quo in the development sector. They are trying to use innovation to address poverty issues, reaching the hardest-to-reach, most vulnerable populations (‘people living in the last mile’ – according to Kopernik). They believe in constantly trying out new ideas to find better, smarter, more effective solutions to development problems. Kopernik is sending solar lights, phone chargers, water filters, fuel, first-aid kits, food and hygiene items to Suwalesi. To support them, check out here.
8.UNICEF
UNICEF team, together with the Indonesian government and local partners, are at the disaster site to help reunite children with their family and provide psychological assistance. The organisation is also appealing for $5 million to support education, health, nutrition, sanitation and child protection needs for the Sulawesi and Lombok earthquake victims. To help the children via UNICEF, check out here.
If you have any other organisations you would like to recommend, please comment below and let us know.
