98 confirmed dead. Rescuers fear more as relief pours into Lombok.
International aid organisations are now seeking assistance some of the key groups get people onto the ground to start providing much-needed relief to the northern parts of the island. Following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Indonesia’s Lombok Island on Sunday evening, rescue workers are actively searching the province to rescue and aid victims.
According to The Guardian, Katy Flay, who was on holiday with her partner, told her brother authorities were demanding money before they would allow tourists onto rescue boats.
“We have tried to get on many boats. Boats are leaving half empty as you need a ticket… no boats for everyone, just selected people,” the 33 year old said in comments he later relayed to The Guardian. “People are punching and hitting each other.”
PHOTO: The Guardian/AP
98 have been reported dead, with about 209 injured. But it’s expected that the toll will rise significantly as debris is removed. Survivors have moved to shelters with little in their hands, as they fled from their homes after they were severely damaged or destroyed by the earthquake.
Although thousands have sought shelter and help, many are still in need of help of food supplies, clothes and comfort or entertainment items, such as toys and books. The emergency response period will remain in effect until at least August 11, according to a statement issued by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
As stated by BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, among the basic necessities needed by the victims are instant food, drinking water, clean water, tents, blankets, tarpaulins, clothes and medicine. They are also in need of trauma and healthcare services.
Many humanitarian organisations have extended a helping hand by accepting donations, be it the form of funds, goods or even volunteer work. The following is a list of organizations through which you can donate.
Please note: The Thaiger doesn’t endorse any particular aid organisation and presents the below information for those interested in donating to the efforts to provide relief to earthquake victims…
Indonesian Red Cross (PMI)
The Indonesian Red Cross is accepting donations for victims of the earthquake through Lombok Kita Bantu.
Donations are collected through local banks and via the Lombok Kita Bantu donation portal.
Below are a list of the local banks you can donate to:
- Mandiri Bank – Account number: 070-00-0011601-7 on behalf of Palang Merah Indonesia
- BCA Bank – Account number: 206-300668-8 on behalf of Kantor Pusat PMI
- BRI Bank – Account number: 0390-01-000030-30-3 on behalf of Palang Merah Indonesia
For more information regarding this donation, you can contact the Indonesian Red Cross’ fundraising division at +6221-799-2325 Ext.2 or email donasi@pmi.or.id.
The Indonesian Red Cross is also open for donations in the form of goods and volunteer work. Further information can be found on its official website donasi.pmi.or.id.
Read also: What you need to know about the Lombok earthquake
Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT)
Funds can be donated to Indonesian-based humanitarian organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT), which actively helps in natural disaster events from the emergency phase to the post-recovery phase.
Donations can be sent to the following:
- BNI Syariah Bank – Account number: 66-00000-506 on behalf of Aksi Cepat Tanggap
- Mandiri Bank – Account number: 127-000-7581-828 on behalf of Aksi Cepat Tanggap
A careline has also been set up at 021-2940-6565 for further help and information. Further information can also be reached via sms through phone number +62853-3000-6000 or WhatsApp number +62821-1711-8110. Visit ACT’s official website act.id for more information.
Those who want to help directly at the scene can visit ACT’s emergency posts, located at the following addresses in West Nusa Tenggara:
- Bayan Post: House of Dasan Gerisak village chief, Anyar village, Bayan district, North Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
- Sembalun Post: Jl. Raya Sembalun Lawang, Sembalun Lawang, Sembalun, East Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
- Gempa Lombok Post: Jalan Sriwijaya number 80J, East Pagesangan subdistrict, Mataram regency, Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara (west of Grand Legi Mataram hotel).
Dompet Dhuafa Republika
Donations to Dompet Dhuafa Republika will be used to rebuild houses for the victims of the Lombok earthquake.
Set up as “Bale (rumah) Untuk Lombok: Pulau Seribu Masjid”, you can help build houses for victims by donating to the following:
- BNI Syariah Bank – Account number: 340-350-666-5 on behalf of Yayasan Dompet Dhuafa Republika
- BCA Bank – Account number: 237-304-7171 on behalf of Yayasan Dompet Dhuafa Republika
- Mandiri Bank – Account number: 101-000-647-5733 on behalf of Yayasan Dompet Dhuafa Republika
Further information regarding the donations can be accessed through its official website dompetdhuafa.org.
Oxfam Australia
Another way to help is to support international charity organizations. Oxfam has about 8 to 10 local partners and three Oxfam staff members operating in Lombok. They are currently working with KONSEPSI, which has deployed a team and partnered with the Village Preparedness Team in Sembalun as well as the district’s disaster management agency.
Oxfam media coordinator Dylan Quinnell tweeted that antipoverty group Oxfam Australia was using its Jakarta warehouse staff and partners to distribute tarpaulins and sarongs to the earthquake victims in Lombok. You can support their response to the rapid needs by fundraising for their cause or donating funds through their official websiteoxfam.org.au/donate/.
For more information, reach out to the following three contacts:
- M. Taqludin, KONSEPSI Director: +62-812-377-7527
- Syafriment Azis, Knowledge Hub Management: +62-813-7424-2284;syafrimet_azis@yahoo.com
- Ancilla Bere, Oxfam Indonesia Interim Humanitarian Lead: +62-819-3885-2689; ABere@oxfam.org.uk
Read also: Lombok airport operates 24 hours following earthquake
World Vision International (Wahana Visi Indonesia)
Wahana Visi is a branch of humanitarian aid organization World Vision International. The WVI Disaster Response Team has been responding to this disaster on the field in Sembalun, East Lombok.
Donated funds are used to provide care and educational packages for children, home appliance packages for families, clean water and sanitation facilities. They are also used to set up a Sahabat Anak Room children’s center in each evacuation post, with each center to be stocked with books and toys.
WVI is also working to educate families on the natural disaster they are currently facing, and what they can do to survive in the situation.
For those who can help, donations of Rp. 100.005 are encouraged; note the five as the last digit. Send proof of transfer to berbagi@wvi.or.id or +62-811-183-8496 on WhatsApp.
Transfer your donations through BCA 478-3019445, under the name Yayasan Visi Indonesia.
For more information, contact WVI on Facebook or visit its official website wahanavisi.org, or @wahanavisi_ID on Instagram and Twitter.
Peduli Anak Foundation
Lombok-based Sahabat Anak Foundation has been helping underprivileged children and their families by providing them with the necessary residential care, family care, education, medical care and legal aid, as written on their Facebook page.
In a one-minute YouTube video, a Peduli Anak Volunteer expresses his concerns and the urgent need for help as buildings were destroyed as a result of the earthquake.
“We have about 100 children, everybody is safe, none of the children got injured. Everybody was outside when this happened so we’re really lucky that nobody got seriously injured here. But all of our buildings, our shelters, all the homes of the children are destroyed. […] We need help, we need a tent, at least, a big one we can sleep in. But we really need help soon, we think this is a really bad one,” he said.
The foundation owns four dormitories for children, a school, a prayer room, office rooms and other supporting facilities. However, the earthquakes caused medium to critical damage to the majority of its buildings.
You can help in three ways:
- Donate via pedulianak.org.
- Transfer donations from Indonesia to the BCA account: 0560865333 under the name YAY PEDULI ANAK.
- For direct deliveries of basic necessities or care packages, go to: Yayasan Peduli Anak, Desa Langko, Lingsar, Lombok Barat.
For more information, Peduli Anak Foundation is rated as very responsive to Facebook messages. They may also be contacted through the number +62-370-617-1993.
It does not hurt to also do the little things. If you do not have the means to donate, use the power of your voice to raise awareness about the earthquake and about how to help donate.
