How to Help the Victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Indonesia
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday, followed by a 20-foot tsunami. More than 1200 deaths have been confirmed and the city of Palu needs help.
There are several ways to donate, but according to the New York Times , money is a much faster way to help than canned food, water, or clothing. These items are very easy to lose. NPR says the scale of the disaster was initially difficult to determine as communications were disrupted. The UN estimates that 1.6 million people are affected or will be affected by the coming recovery.
NYT and NPR have suggested a number of organizations that you can send money to that have people on the ground (to make sure it gets where it needs to be).
GlobalGiving
This group focuses on local organizations and currently has a goal of providing $ 1 million to help the people of Sulawesi. They focus first on the essentials and then on long-term rehabilitative care.
CARE
CARE also focuses on urgent needs north of Palu and towards the city center, especially clean drinking water, sanitation and shelter. Indonesia County Director Helen Vanvel told NPR that this is a difficult project because access is limited.
“The landslide has blocked the main road to Palu, flights to the airport are limited, the main seaports have been destroyed and there is no communication,” she said.
Indonesian Red Cross
They mobilized “70 tons of supplies,” including baby kits, mattresses and tents, as well as water carriers and 15 ambulances, the group said . They say they already have 179 people in the area.
Humanity and inclusiveness
This organization has been operating in Indonesia since 2005. The topic continues to be immediate assistance, especially medical assistance and “psychological support”.
Save the kids
There are Save the Children volunteers in Palu who are trying to create temporary shelters with rope and tarpaulin and clear spaces for children to play safely because children still need some normality and freedom when their worlds are turned upside down.
UNICEF
The group is also working on clean water using mobile wastewater treatment plants. They are also working with local authorities to find families of children who were separated from them during the disaster.
The Jakarta Post also shared several groups that are much more local and shared a message from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency that talks about things like “fuel (diesel and gasoline), drinking water, medical personnel, medications and field hospitals, tents, tarpaulins. , blankets, stretchers, water cisterns, foodstuffs, lamps, generator sets, emergency kitchens, body bags, casings and baby food ”were all needed. They also supported the Indonesian Red Cross as an immediate aid tool.
Axi Chepat Tanggap (ACT, Indonesia)
ACT Indonesia has also been around since 2005 and is extremely transparent with its money. You can also follow them on Twitter at @ACTforHumanity to stay updated on how things are changing on the ground.